functional

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adjective func·tion·al \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl , -shə-nᵊl \

Definition of functional

1 a :of, connected with, or being a function

the functional differences between the departments

b :affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure

functional heart disease

2 :used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole

functional and practical school courses

; also :designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use

The design of the building is not only functional but also beautiful.

3 :performing or able to perform a regular function

The flashlight was still functional after I had dropped it.

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functionally

play \ˈfəŋ(k)-shnə-lē, -shə-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See functional defined for English-language learners

See functional defined for kids

Examples of functional in a Sentence

They worked outside, so they preferred wearing functional clothes.
The building's design is not only functional but also beautiful.
The flashlight was still functional after I dropped it.
The computer network is fully functional.

Recent Examples of functional from the Web

The Universal Remote 7000 is a delightful little project by tinkerer Justin Emter that uses a homemade circuit and the chip from the Arduino Uno to create a fully-functional remote with physical buttons that lives inside an Altoids tin.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "Lose the TV Remote? Just Build a New One.," 24 Aug. 2017
How a city treats that object will turn on its collective ability to make the functional artful.

— scott canon, kansascity, "A smart city need not be ugly," 7 Aug. 2017
Accessibility: How functional will the car's storage be? How big is the opening to the rear trunk?

— tom randall, Bloomberg.com, "Here Come the Tesla Model 3s ... and a Few Surprises," 27 July 2017
Dyne’s sweet spot is producing functional tech clothing, aiming to find a balance between athleisure, fit, and luxurious fabrics.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "There Are More Black Designers in the CFDA Now Than Ever Before," 19 July 2017
Nonetheless, speech analysis of this kind gives a functional measure of verbal skill and can potentially serve as a cheap and accessible tool for clinicians and researchers assessing cognitive function.

— mary hui, Washington Post, "Hearing loss, diminished verbal fluency and hospitalizations can signal cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, studies find," 17 July 2017
The ambitious pair has a goal of putting three functional hyperloop systems into service by 2021.

— CBS News, "Co-founders of Hyperloop One on their first successful full-scale test run," 12 July 2017
While motel rooms were plain and functional, the facades took advantage of regional styles (and, occasionally, stereotypes).

— andrew wood, Smithsonian, "The Rise and Fall of the Great American Motel," 1 July 2017
A fully functional original—no bloody 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S 5, 5S, 6, 6S, or 7.

— chris clarke, Popular Mechanics, "I Still Love My Original, Working iPhone," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'functional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of functional

1631

functional Synonyms

FUNCTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

functional

play

adjective

Definition of functional for English Language Learners

: designed to have a practical use
medical : affecting the way a part of your body works
: working properly

Medical Dictionary

functional

play

adjective func·tion·al \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl \

medical Definition of functional

1 a :of, connected with, or being a function — compare structural 1

b :affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure

functional heart disease

a functional psychosis

— compare organic 1b

2 :performing or able to perform a regular function

—

functionally

play \-ē\ adverb

Learn More about functional

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Definition of functional

functionally

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Examples of functional in a Sentence

Recent Examples of functional from the Web

First Known Use of functional

functional Synonyms

Synonyms

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FUNCTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

functional

Definition of functional for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

functional

medical Definition of functional

functionally

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