functional
gb/fˈʌŋkʃənəl/ us/fˈʌŋkʃənəl/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
working or operating properly
Working in the correct way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is functional
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'functional' with 'function' (verb/noun) and say 'the machine functions' instead of 'the machine is functional'. Both can be correct but have different grammatical uses.
Synonyms
operational (More formal; often used in technical or business contexts.)
Antonyms
broken (Describes something that is not working at all.)
Collocations
fully functional
|functional equipment
|functional system
|functional unit
Themes
technology
|daily life
|engineering
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The coffee machine is fully functional after the repair.
- All the computers in the lab are now functional.
- The elevator is not functional due to a power outage.
Learner examples
- My phone is functional again.
- The light is functional now.
- This old car is still functional.
adjective
B1
property
2
focused on practical use
Made for use, not for looks.
Usage pattern:
functional [design/object]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'functionable', which is not correct; the right word is 'functional'.
Synonyms
practical (Emphasizes suitability for use in real situations.)
Antonyms
decorative (Focuses on appearance rather than practical use.)
Collocations
functional design
|functional furniture
|functional clothing
Themes
design
|architecture
|daily life
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The building has a simple, functional design.
- These shoes are more functional than fashionable.
- The kitchen layout is purely functional.
Learner examples
- The table is functional but not beautiful.
- This bag is very functional.
- Her office is small but functional.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
relating to a role in a system
About the job or role something has in a system.
Usage pattern:
functional [role/area/component]
Synonyms
operational (Can overlap but often refers more to processes being active rather than roles.)
Antonyms
nonfunctional (Lacking a defined or active role in a system.)
Collocations
functional area
|functional role
|functional requirements
Themes
business
|technology
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She works in the company's functional area of marketing.
- The software's functional requirements must be defined before development.
- Functional components are tested separately before integration.
Learner examples
- He works in the finance functional area.
- This part has a special functional role.
- The team studies the functional needs of the project.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
about mathematical functions
About math ideas called functions and how they work.
Usage pattern:
functional [analysis/relationship/mapping]
Synonyms
mathematical (Broader; refers to all areas of mathematics, not just functions.)
Collocations
functional analysis
|functional equation
|functional relationship
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Examples
- Functional analysis is an important area of mathematics.
- The graph shows a clear functional relationship between the variables.
- He specializes in functional equations.
Learner examples
- We study functional analysis in class.
- This is a functional relationship in math.
- A functional equation can be hard to solve.
Grammar
Dictionary form
functional
IPA
GB/fˈʌŋkʃənəl/
US/fˈʌŋkʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
func - tion - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (func)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: functional
Word family
Core family
function
noun B1
functionally
adverb
Related words
functionality
noun B2
malfunction
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
functionalism
noun
Expressions
fully functional
1/fˈʊli fˈʌŋkʃənəl/
fixed phrase
working perfectly as intended
Working completely and without problems.
Examples
- The website is now fully functional after the update.
- Once the repairs are done, the car will be fully functional again.
functional medicine
1/fˈʌŋkʃənəl mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
technical
healthcare focusing on root causes and system function
A type of healthcare that looks for and treats the main cause of illness, not just symptoms.
Examples
- Functional medicine doctors often use nutrition and lifestyle changes to treat patients.
- She decided to try functional medicine for her chronic fatigue.
functional training
1/fˈʌŋkʃənəl tɹˈeɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
exercise for everyday movement skills
Exercise that helps you move better in daily life by copying real actions.
Examples
- Functional training can improve balance and strength for everyday tasks.
- The gym offers classes in functional training.