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

That means more multifamily housing, more affordable housing, more housing near transit and jobs and a state government that stops letting delay and dysfunction make the crisis worse. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

With the dysfunction in Sacramento accelerating in recent years, the accomplishments of Jerry Brown in his last eight years as governor seem all the more impressive. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026

The book is not about Konkle’s comedy career, but rather the familial dysfunction that may have helped cultivate it. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026

Texas’ inability to regulate body donation left research stalled and oversight in limbo for years, driven by dysfunction inside the agency tasked with fixing it. —Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 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

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