functional

[fuhngk-shuh-nl] /ˈfʌŋk ʃə nl/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to a function or functions:
functional difficulties in the administration.
2.
capable of operating or functioning:
When will the ventilating system be functional again?
3.
having or serving a utilitarian purpose; capable of serving the purpose for which it was designed:
functional architecture; a chair that is functional as well as decorative.
4.
Also, functionalistic. (of a building or furnishing) constructed or made according to the principles of functionalism or primarily as a direct fulfillment of a material need.
5.
Medicine/Medical. without a known organic cause or structural change:
a functional disorder.
Compare organic (def 5).
6.
pertaining to an algebraic operation:
a functional symbol.
7.
Linguistics. (of linguistic analysis, language teaching, etc.) concerned with the communicative role of language rather than, in addition to, or as the framework for its formal structure.
noun
8.
Mathematics. a function that has a domain whose elements are functions, sets, or the like, and that assumes numerical values.
Origin
1625-35; function + -al1
Related forms
functionality, noun
functionally, adverb
hyperfunctional, adjective
hyperfunctionally, adverb
multifunctional, adjective
nonfunctional, adjective
nonfunctionally, adverb
prefunctional, adjective
semifunctional, adjective
semifunctionally, adverb
subfunctional, adjective
subfunctionally, adverb
superfunctional, adjective
unfunctional, adjective
unfunctionally, adverb
Examples from the web for functional
  • We have a number of fairly functional working theories that describe some behaviours.
  • functional silos were often protective of information, for instance, and of their own position in the scheme of things.
  • In today's world, multi-tasking is almost fundamental to living a functional life.
  • Using tissue grown in a laboratory, researchers have engineered fully functional replacement penises.
  • Rather, food companies market functional foods with health-promoting or wellness-maintaining properties.
  • The serotonin-transporter gene comes in two functional variants-long and short.
  • So, it has to be functional art instead of arbitrary art.
  • She tested five types of functional shoes, leaving her weights at home.
  • The problem with genes is that organisms carry genes that are no longer functional.
  • What resulted were products that were simple, functional and more aesthetically clean than their ornate predecessors.
British Dictionary definitions for functional

functional

/ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/
adjective
1.
of, involving, or containing a function or functions
2.
practical rather than decorative; utilitarian: functional architecture
3.
capable of functioning; working
4.
(med) affecting a function of an organ without structural change
5.
(psychol)
  1. relating to the purpose or context of a behaviour
  2. denoting a psychosis such as schizophrenia assumed not to have a direct organic cause, like deterioration or poisoning of the brain Compare organic psychosis
noun
6.
(maths) a function whose domain is a set of functions and whose range is a set of functions or a set of numbers
Derived Forms
functionally, adverb
Word Origin and History for functional
adj.

1630s; as a term in architecture, "utilitarian," 1928; see function (n.) + -al (1). Related: Functionally; functionality.

functional in Medicine

functional func·tion·al (fŭngk'shə-nəl)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to a function.

  2. Affecting the physiological function but not the structure.

functional in Science
functional
  (fŭngk'shə-nəl)   
Affecting bodily functions but not organic structure, as a disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome. Compare organic.
functional in Technology


1. Working correctly.
2. Pertaining to functional programming.
3. higher-order function.