dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

variants or less commonly disfunction

1

: impaired or abnormal functioning

gastrointestinal dysfunction

2

: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group

family dysfunction

Examples of dysfunction in a Sentence

The disease causes gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chaos and dysfunction are par for the course for the Hollingsworths. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Renwick, who has been sharing her story on social media in a bid to raise awareness of the condition, suffers from retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD), commonly known as no burp syndrome. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Sarah Deer, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, said delays and dysfunction among federal investigators are compounding families' grief. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Sarah Deer, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, said delays and dysfunction among federal investigators are compounding families’ grief. — Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dys- + function entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysfunction

• erectile dysfunction
• minimal brain dysfunction
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Rhymes for dysfunction

• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• injunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• function
• junction
• unction
• heterojunction

Kids Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning

liver dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion

variants also disfunction

(ˈ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body)

dysfunctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

dysfunctioning

-shə-niŋ 

noun