dysfunction
gb/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/ us/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
B2
Inglês
~ 9800
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
B2
state
1
serious problems in how groups work
A situation where a family, relationship, or group does not work in a normal or healthy way and has many problems.
Padrão de uso:
dysfunction in [a group or system]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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".)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
family dysfunction
|relationship dysfunction
|workplace dysfunction
|organizational dysfunction
|political dysfunction
|institutional dysfunction
Temas
relationships
|society
|work
Exemplos
- Years of unresolved conflict led to deep dysfunction in the family.
- The report blames government dysfunction for the slow response to the crisis.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- There is a lot of dysfunction in that family.
- Dysfunction in the team made the project hard to finish.
- 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.
Nome
technical
C1
state
2
impaired functioning of body parts
A problem that stops a body part or system from working in a normal way.
Padrão de uso:
dysfunction of [an organ or system]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
sexual dysfunction
|erectile dysfunction
|kidney dysfunction
|thyroid dysfunction
|liver dysfunction
|cognitive dysfunction
Temas
health
|medicine
|science
|body
Exemplos
- The patient’s fatigue may be caused by thyroid dysfunction.
- Erectile dysfunction is a common but often underreported condition.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The doctor is testing him for kidney dysfunction.
- She takes medicine to control her thyroid dysfunction.
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
dysfunction
IPA
GB/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
US/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃən/
Sílabas e acento
dys - func - tion (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (func)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: dysfunction
- Plural: dysfunctions
Família de palavras
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
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.