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

This black-pink yin-and-yang frays as time together reveals the depths of each character’s dysfunctions, and their camaraderie veers into codependence. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

The thing about dysfunction and disappointment this dramatic is that the bar for acceptable achievement plummets. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

If not properly administered and monitored, an unsafe amount of potassium entering the body can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, kidney dysfunction, muscle weakness or spasms, metabolic disturbances or death, according to Ameri Pharma. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

The Pratts are in serious crisis, besieged by bullies and bad neighbors outside of their house and foundation-crumbling dysfunction inside it. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 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