functional

adjective

func·tion·al | \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl ,

-shə-nᵊl \

Definition of functional

1a : 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.

Other Words from functional Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about functional

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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 on the Web

The body styling has some compact cuteness that wraps around an upright format as tidy and functional as an American Tourister roller bag — ready to travel with a hard shell that feels secure and refined. — Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Kia Niro PHEV: The future of plug-and-play," 13 July 2018 That double whammy means that in old animals, including people, fewer and fewer cells are young and functional. — Sharon Begley, STAT, "Hope for creaky old humans: removing aged cells from mice can restore their youth, study finds," 9 July 2018 The second floor displays more Johnson Publishing furniture, the typewriter and other functional and art objects, and the exuberant modern painting that John Johnson kept in his office. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'Johnson Publishing' exhibit shows off company's design flair — without a plexiglass museum case," 5 July 2018 One of the wittier details in DeMonaco’s functional, largely generic script finds the slavish TV news anchors frustrated by the purge’s relatively sluggish start. — Michael Phillips, kansascity, "In ‘First Purge’ prequel, there’s no avoiding politics or buckets of blood," 3 July 2018 One of the wittier details in DeMonaco’s functional, largely generic script finds the slavish TV news anchors frustrated by the purge’s relatively sluggish start. — Michael Phillips, The Seattle Times, "‘The First Purge’: Violent, erratic prequel shows how it all began," 3 July 2018 While not an exceptional athlete, Lawson has been highly productive on both ends of the glass and around the basket, and has shown inconsistent but functional set shooting touch from outside. — Jeremy Woo, SI.com, "2019 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 60 Prospects," 27 June 2018 Aesthetes and techies may appreciate that the card is also kind of chic — and functional. — refinery29.com, "The Venmo Debit Card Introduces A New Way To Nudge Your Friends For Money," 25 June 2018 However, the website is, at the very least, functional. — Wayne K. Roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Revamped SunPass system sluggish after a stumbling start," 13 June 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near functional

functional determinant

functional finance

Statistics for functional

Last Updated

28 Aug 2018

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Time Traveler for functional

The first known use of functional was in 1633

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More Definitions for functional

functional

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of functional

: designed to have a practical use

medical : affecting the way a part of your body works

: working properly

See the full definition for functional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

functional

adjective

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

Medical Definition of functional

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

b : affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure functional heart disease a functional psychosis — compare organic sense 1b