dysfunction
gb/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/ us/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
B2
English
~ 9800
működési zavar, diszfunkció
NOUN
B2
1
diszfunkció
C1
Usage pattern:
dysfunction in [a group or system]
Years of unresolved conflict led to deep dysfunction in the family.
Az évekig rendezetlen konfliktusok súlyos működési zavart okoztak a családban.
The report blames government dysfunction for the slow response to the crisis.
A jelentés a kormányzati működési zavart okolja a válságra adott lassú reakcióért.
Office politics and poor communication created serious dysfunction in the workplace.
Therapy helped them understand the patterns of dysfunction in their relationship.
The book examines the causes of institutional dysfunction in large corporations.
Learner examples
There is a lot of dysfunction in that family.
Abban a családban sok a működési zavar.
Dysfunction in the team made the project hard to finish.
A csapat működési zavarai megnehezítették a projekt befejezését.
They went to counseling to deal with their family dysfunction.
Political dysfunction is stopping important new laws.
The manager is trying to fix the dysfunction in the office.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "dysfunction" with more casual words like "drama" or "trouble". "Dysfunction" usually suggests deeper, ongoing, and often serious problems in how a group or relationship works, not just a single argument or minor issue.
Meaning
serious problems in how groups work
Collocations
family dysfunction
|relationship dysfunction
|workplace dysfunction
|organizational dysfunction
|political dysfunction
|institutional dysfunction
Synonyms
breakdown (Stresses collapse or serious failure, while "dysfunction" can describe long-term unhealthy patterns without complete collapse.)
|
disorder (Often used for social or organizational problems, but can sound slightly more technical or broad than "dysfunction".)
Antonyms
harmony (Suggests people or parts working together smoothly, the opposite of the conflict and problems in dysfunction.)
|
healthy functioning (Directly contrasts with the idea of impaired or abnormal functioning in a family or group.)
Themes
relationships
|society
|work
Definition
A situation where a family, relationship, or group does not work in a normal or healthy way and has many problems.
A state in which a family, relationship, organization, or other social system does not work in a normal, healthy, or effective way.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
diszfunkció
C1
Usage pattern:
dysfunction of [an organ or system]
The patient’s fatigue may be caused by thyroid dysfunction.
A beteg fáradtságát pajzsmirigy-működési zavar okozhatja.
Erectile dysfunction is a common but often underreported condition.
A merevedési zavar gyakori, de gyakran aluljelentett állapot.
Long-term alcohol use can lead to liver dysfunction.
The study found a link between sleep dysfunction and depression.
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the early signs of the disease.
Learner examples
The doctor is testing him for kidney dysfunction.
Az orvos azt vizsgálja, van-e nála veseműködési zavar.
She takes medicine to control her thyroid dysfunction.
Gyógyszert szed, hogy kordában tartsa a pajzsmirigy-működési zavarát.
Erectile dysfunction can have both physical and emotional causes.
Liver dysfunction can make your skin and eyes look yellow.
The drug may cause sleep dysfunction in some patients.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use "dysfunction" as a verb (e.g., *"His heart dysfunctioned"), but it is only used as a noun. Use phrases like "His heart is not functioning normally" instead. Another mistake is using it for machines; for non-living things, "malfunction" or "break down" is more natural.
Meaning
impaired functioning of body parts
Collocations
sexual dysfunction
|erectile dysfunction
|kidney dysfunction
|thyroid dysfunction
|liver dysfunction
|cognitive dysfunction
Synonyms
impairment (A general medical term for reduced ability to function; "dysfunction" focuses specifically on abnormal functioning.)
|
disorder (Common in medical language; often refers to an established condition, while "dysfunction" emphasizes the faulty functioning itself.)
Antonyms
normal function (Directly describes the opposite state, where a body part or system is working as it should.)
|
healthy function (Stresses that the organ or system operates without disease or impairment, opposing dysfunction.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
|body
Definition
A problem that stops a body part or system from working in a normal way.
Impaired or abnormal functioning of a body part, organ, or biological system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dysfunction
IPA
GB/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
US/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
Syllables & stress
dys - func - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (func)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dysfunction
- Plural: dysfunctions
Word family
Forms
dysfunctions
noun
Core family
Related words
functionality
noun B2
functionally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
nonfunctional
adjective
malfunction
noun B2
Advanced or less common
dysfunctionally
adverb
Expressions
erectile dysfunction
1/ˈɛɹˈɛktɪl dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
inability to maintain an erection
A medical problem in which a man cannot get or keep an erection firm enough for sex.
Examples
- Erectile dysfunction is more common in older men but can affect younger men as well.
- The ad promotes a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- Lifestyle changes can sometimes improve erectile dysfunction.
family dysfunction
3/fˈæmɪli dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
fixed phrase
serious problems in a family
Serious and often long-term problems in how a family lives and relates to each other.
Examples
- Therapy helped them address years of family dysfunction.
- The movie tells a darkly funny story of family dysfunction at a holiday dinner.
- Many adults still struggle with the effects of family dysfunction from their childhood.
government dysfunction
4/ɡˈʌvɚnmənt dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
fixed phrase
serious problems in government
A situation where the government cannot work well, make decisions, or provide services in a normal way.
Examples
- Voters are frustrated with ongoing government dysfunction in the capital.
- The shutdown was seen as a symbol of government dysfunction.
- Analysts warn that government dysfunction could slow economic growth.
organizational dysfunction
5/ˌɔɹɡənəzˈeɪʃənəl dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
serious problems inside an organization
Serious and ongoing problems inside a company or group that stop it from working well.
Examples
- Low morale and high turnover are signs of organizational dysfunction.
- The consultant was hired to identify the causes of organizational dysfunction.
- Organizational dysfunction often starts with unclear roles and poor communication.
sexual dysfunction
2/sˈɛkʃuəl dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
problems with sexual functioning
Medical problems that make it hard or impossible for a person to have normal sexual activity or response.
Examples
- Some medications can increase the risk of sexual dysfunction.
- The clinic specializes in treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women.
- Open communication with a partner can help when dealing with sexual dysfunction.