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functional

adjective
func·​tion·​al | \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl How to pronounce functional (audio) , -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

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Other Words from functional

functionally \ ˈfəŋ(k)-​shnə-​lē How to pronounce functionally (audio) , -​shə-​nᵊl-​ē \ adverb

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Even if the Web servers and database servers are functional, there's no way to find them. — Jim Salter, Ars Technica, "8chan is all the way down—“It’s DNS. It’s always DNS.”," 5 Aug. 2019 The early 16th-century Old Synagogue, the city’s oldest, is no longer functional, but hosts exhibitions on Jewish culture and tradition. — Malavika Bhattacharya, National Geographic, "Why is everyone going to Krakow?," 23 July 2019 Some spaces designated for teens and children weren’t fully functional. — Tylisa C. Johnson, https://www.inquirer.com, "Report: Patrons give Free Library’s renovated branches high marks," 4 June 2019 The introduction of office telephone exchanges, in the early twentieth century, helped make such spaces more functional. — Cal Newport, The New Yorker, "Was E-mail a Mistake?," 6 Aug. 2019 Close, but not quite there To have a fully functional system, O’Driscoll said, Oregon needs to have 75 percent of the 238 state-wide sensors in place. — oregonlive.com, "After powerful earthquakes rattle California, Oregon’s early warning system still waits for funding," 9 July 2019 Reasons for not signing: The Knicks have been a leaguewide punch line under owner James Dolan, and there are no guarantees that Durant’s addition would suddenly make the franchise functional. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Kevin Durant’s free agency: An in-depth breakdown of the superstar’s options," 26 June 2019 This bag has a beautiful print and is very functional. — NBC News, "The 10 best gym-to-office bags," 7 June 2019 But having a more functional Muni system is just one step in the long, tortuous process to get people out of their cars. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Solving transit troubles key in SF mayor’s race," 21 Apr. 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.

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First Known Use of functional

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for functional

functional

adjective
How to pronounce functional (audio)

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 How to pronounce functional (audio) \

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

Other Words from functional

functionally \ -​ē How to pronounce functionally (audio) \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on functional

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for functional

Spanish Central: Translation of functional

Nglish: Translation of functional for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of functional for Arabic Speakers

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