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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Given that the Gateway will not permanently house astronauts, as is the case with the International Space Station, this upkeep will keep the station functional. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Canada Offers Robot Arm for NASA's 'Lunar Gateway' Program," 1 Mar. 2019 My job is to create a fragrance that delivers an emotional and functional benefit to a consumer. — Ellen Byron, WSJ, "Smell of Success: What It Takes to Be a Top Perfumer," 22 Feb. 2019 And like many of Bauhaus' inspired objects, both architectural and functional. — Todd Plummer, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 100-Year-Old German Art School That’s Still Influencing the Fashion World," 13 Feb. 2019 Yet for many, the flush of that victory has given way to the realization that Baghdad, once a jewel among Arab capitals and now on the cusp of achieving megacity status, is barely functional. — Nabih Bulos, The Seattle Times, "Baghdad, once a jewel among Arab capitals, is barely functional," 28 Jan. 2019 The council has approved several smaller expenses to make repairs on the structure that would keep it functional until a new garage could be built. — Shawn R. Beals, Courant Community, "Downtown Middletown Traffic Changes Coming With Parking Additions," 26 Apr. 2018 The bottom line is there is no functional or even practical change. — New York Times, "Mulvaney Downgrades Student Loan Unit in Consumer Bureau Reshuffle," 9 May 2018 Cancer cells that form in patients who are BRCA-positive also have mutations related to BRCA genes, which normally help repair DNA but aren't functional in these cells. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How Your BRCA Status May Impact Your Ovarian Cancer Treatment," 17 Dec. 2018 In a functional market, patients would demand care and providers would furnish it at mutually agreeable prices. — Sally C. Pipes, Fortune, "Why Does the Left Want Universal Health Care? Britain’s Is on Its Deathbed," 10 July 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about functional

Dictionary Entries near functional

functional determinant

functional finance

Statistics for functional

Last Updated

13 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for functional

The first known use of functional was in 1633

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

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

2 : performing or able to perform a regular function