functional

adjective

func·​tion·​al ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

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.

functionally

ˈfəŋ(k)-shnə-lē 

-shə-nᵊl-ē

adverb

Synonyms

• active
• alive
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operational
• operative
• running
• working

Examples of functional in a Sentence

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 truck needed a complete reboot to become fully functional again After just a couple of months and a few thousand miles of ownership, Tik Tok user @captian.ad’s Tesla Cybertruck was effectively a several-thousand-pound paperweight for several hours. —Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024

There wasn’t a functional vacuum cleaner or the political will to budget for one. —Benjamin Nugent, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024

Speech therapy for children with autism focuses on improving communication skills, occupational therapy enhances everyday functional abilities and independence, and behavioral therapy helps manage behaviors, developing coping strategies for social interaction and emotional regulation. —Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024

Applications continuously accepted Human Resources Generalist Description: Advises and provides assistance in all functional areas of Human Resources. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

Cleaning your light fixtures serves a functional purpose, too. —USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

There was minimal damage to an Israeli air base, which remained functional, and sadly a seven-year-old girl from a Bedouin village suffered a serious head wound. —The Editors, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024

This process ensures the iPad is fully functional with any minor cosmetic imperfections addressed. —Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

Now the kitchen is modernized and more functional for the growing family. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing functional

• functional calculus
• functional food
• functional genomics
• functional group
• functional illiterate
• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• functional shift

Kids Definition

functional

adjective

func·​tion·​al ˈfuŋ(k)-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

a

: of, connected with, or being a function

b

: affecting bodily functions but not structure

functional heart disease

2

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

functional clothes

functional writing

3

: performing or able to perform a regular function

functionally

-shnə-lē 

-shən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

functional

adjective

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

1

a

: 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

functionally

-ē 

adverb