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

Juvenile crime and reports about internal dysfunction within the department have been widely reported since Schiraldi was appointed. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2025

The federal student loan repayment system remains plagued by dysfunction, making the environment ripe for confusion and misinformation. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

There, the demoralizing displays of dysfunction occur more often behind closed doors, and not in full public view. —Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025

Borrego showed signs of life in Charlotte (43 wins in 2022) but succumbed to the perpetual dysfunction surrounding the Hornets franchise. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025

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
• inunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• function
• junction
• unction

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) see minimal brain dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

dysfunctioning

-shə-niŋ 

noun