Functional — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nəl/ func·tion·al

Meaning & Definition of Functional

Functional (adjective)

  1. of, connected with, or being a function
  2. affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure
  3. used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole; also, designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use

Functional (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in effective operation

    "I don't think that vending machine is functional, so don't put money into it"

    similar: active, alive, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational, operative, running, working, in commission, in force, in gear, on line
    related: effective, effectual, employable, operable, usable, viable, workable, performing, producing, productive, serving, useful, yielding, astir, bustling, busy, dynamic, flourishing, humming, roaring, thriving
    opposite: broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput, nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative
    near: deactivated, decommissioned, ineffective, ineffectual, useless, inoperable, unusable, unworkable, arrested, asleep, dormant, fallow, idle, inert, latent, lifeless, nonproductive, quiescent, sleepy, stagnating, unproductive, vegetating

  2. capable of being put to use or account

    "a functional knowledge of auto mechanics"

    similar: actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, practicable, practical, serviceable, ultrapractical, usable, useful, workable, working
    related: down-to-earth, pragmatic, utilitarian, banausic, mundane, accessible, available, obtainable, reachable, all-around, handy, active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, operating, operative
    opposite: impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless
    near: abstract, academic, armchair, theoretical, inaccessible, unattainable, unavailable, unobtainable, unreachable, unsuitable

  3. capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose

    "a very functional kitchen utensil for peeling potatoes"

    similar: available, employable, exploitable, fit, operable, practicable, serviceable, usable, useful
    related: applicable, relevant, doable, feasible, viable, workable, reusable
    opposite: impracticable, inoperable, nonfunctional, unavailable, unemployable, unusable

Related Entry: Functional illiteracy (noun)

Functional illiteracy is a different word from Functional. The synonyms below are for functional illiteracy, not for functional.

  1. as in innumeracy

    similar: innumeracy, ignorance, illiteracy, brainlessness, dumbness, idiocy, imbecility, stupidity, philistinism, foolishness, mindlessness, senselessness, witlessness
    opposite: learning, literacy, education, instruction, training, enlightenment, knowledge, erudition, scholarship

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Functional

The most common words with a similar meaning to Functional:

active, alive, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational, operative, running, working, actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, practicable, practical, serviceable, ultrapractical, usable, useful, workable, available, employable, exploitable, fit, operable, in commission, in force, in gear, on line

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Functional

Words with the opposite meaning of Functional:

broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput, nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative, impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless, inoperable, unavailable, unemployable

Related Words for Functional

effective, effectual, viable, performing, producing, productive, serving, yielding, astir, bustling, busy, dynamic, flourishing, humming, roaring, thriving, down-to-earth, pragmatic, utilitarian, banausic, mundane, accessible, obtainable, reachable, all-around, handy, employed, relevant, doable, feasible

Near Antonyms of Functional

deactivated, decommissioned, ineffective, ineffectual, arrested, asleep, dormant, fallow, idle, inert, latent, lifeless, nonproductive, quiescent, sleepy, stagnating, unproductive, vegetating, abstract, academic, armchair, theoretical, inaccessible, unattainable, unobtainable, unreachable, unsuitable

Word Forms of Functional

Derived words: functionally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Functional

First known use: 1633

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Functional

Words & Phrases Containing Functional

functional calculus, functional food, functional genomics, functional group, functional illiterate, functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional shift

Frequently Asked Questions about Functional

What does "Functional" mean?

"Functional" means of, connected with, or being a function. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, connected with, or being a function. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Functional"?

Other words for "Functional" include active, alive, functioning, going, live, living, on and operating. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Functional" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Functional"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Functional". Common alternatives include active, alive, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational and operative.

What is the opposite of "Functional"?

Antonyms of "Functional" include broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput, nonactivated, nonfunctional and nonfunctioning. Near antonyms include deactivated, decommissioned, ineffective and ineffectual.

How do you use "Functional" in a sentence?

Examples of "Functional" in a sentence: "I don't think that vending machine is functional, so don't put money into it"; "a functional knowledge of auto mechanics"; "a very functional kitchen utensil for peeling potatoes".

Is "Functional" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Functional" is an adjective.

Is "Functional" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Functional" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Functional"?

"Functional" is pronounced /ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nəl/ and divided into syllables as func·tion·al.