Standard Lemma guide

functional

adj · noun · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃənəl/
  • /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃnəl/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: F AH1 NG K SH AH0 N AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

In good working order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Useful; serving a purpose, fulfilling a function.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • That sculpture is not merely artistic, but also functional: it can be used as a hatrack.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Only for functional purposes, notably in architecture.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A functional construction element generally must meet higher technical but lower aesthetical requirements.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adj

Meaning 4

Of or relating to one's role or office; official.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • functional responsibilities

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adj

Meaning 5

Characterizing functioning in environment, being symptoms that do not presuppose alteration of organic structure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, medicine, physiology, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adj

Meaning 6

Optimized for all-around physiological benefit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • functional coffee
  • functional fitness

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adj

Meaning 7

Of or relating to a function or functions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adj

Meaning 8

Having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, computing-theory, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pure

Antonyms: imperative

9

noun

Meaning 9

A function that takes a function as its argument; more precisely, a function whose argument varies in a space of (real- or complex-valued) functions and whose value belongs to a monodimensional space.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: mathematics, sciences

Examples

  • An example of a functional is the definite integration of integrable real functions in a real interval.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

noun

Meaning 10

A scalar-valued linear function on a vector space.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: functional analysis

Topics: mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

noun

Meaning 11

An object encapsulating a function pointer (or equivalent).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

adjective

Meaning 12

designed for or capable of a particular function or use

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a style of writing in which every word is functional
  • functional architecture

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: nonfunctional

13

adjective

Meaning 13

involving or affecting function rather than physiology

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • functional deafness

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: organic

14

adjective

Meaning 14

relating to or based on function especially as opposed to structure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the problem now is not a constitutional one; it is a functional one
  • delegates elected on a functional rather than a geographical basis

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

15

adjective satellite

Meaning 15

(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • in running (or working) order
  • a functional set of brakes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: running(a), operative, working(a)

Antonyms: none provided

16

adjective satellite

Meaning 16

designed for or adapted to a function or use

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • functional education selects knowledge that is concrete and usable rather than abstract and theoretical
  • functional architecture

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

17

adjective satellite

Meaning 17

fit or ready for use or service

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the toaster was still functional even after being dropped
  • the lawnmower is a bit rusty but still usable
  • an operational aircraft
  • the dishwasher is now in working order

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: usable, useable, operable, operational

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Old French fonction Middle French functionbor. English function English -al English functional From function + -al.

Across languages

Translations

113 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: işlək — in good working order
  • Bulgarian: действащ (dejstvašt) — in good working order
  • Bulgarian: функциониращ (funkcionirašt) — in good working order
  • Catalan: funcional — in good working order
  • Chinese Mandarin: 功能的 (gōngnéng de) — in good working order
  • Czech: funkční — in good working order
  • Danish: funktionsdygtig — in good working order
  • Danish: funktionel — in good working order
  • Dutch: functionerend — in good working order
  • Dutch: operationeel — in good working order
  • Dutch: werkend — in good working order
  • Finnish: toimiva — in good working order
  • French: fonctionnel — in good working order
  • German: funktional — in good working order
  • German: Funktions- — in good working order
  • German: funktionell — in good working order
  • German: Gebrauchs- — in good working order
  • German: operativ — in good working order
  • Greek: λειτουργικός (leitourgikós) — in good working order
  • Italian: funzionante — in good working order
  • Japanese: 機能の (kinō no) — in good working order
  • Japanese: 機能する (kinō suru) — in good working order
  • Kazakh: атқарымдық (atqarymdyq) — in good working order
  • Kazakh: қызметтік (qyzmettık) — in good working order
  • Kazakh: функционалды (funksionaldy) — in good working order
  • Kazakh: функционалдық (funksionaldyq) — in good working order
  • Kazakh: функциялық (funksiälyq) — in good working order
  • Khmer: ដើរបាន (daə baan) — in good working order
  • Norwegian Bokmål: funksjonell — in good working order
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: funksjonell — in good working order
  • Polish: działający — in good working order
  • Polish: sprawny — in good working order
  • Polish: aktywny — in good working order
  • Portuguese: funcional — in good working order
  • Romanian: funcțional — in good working order
  • Russian: функциони́рующий (funkcionírujuščij) — in good working order
  • Russian: де́йствующий (déjstvujuščij) — in good working order
  • Russian: рабо́чий (rabóčij) — in good working order
  • Russian: рабо́тающий (rabótajuščij) — in good working order
  • Spanish: operativo — in good working order
  • Swedish: fungerande — in good working order
  • Ottoman Turkish: دركار (derkâr) — in good working order
  • Bulgarian: функционален (funkcionalen) — useful, serving a purpose
  • Danish: funktionel — useful, serving a purpose
  • Dutch: functioneel — useful, serving a purpose
  • Dutch: doelmatig — useful, serving a purpose
  • Finnish: käytännöllinen — useful, serving a purpose
  • French: fonctionnel — useful, serving a purpose
  • German: funktional — useful, serving a purpose
  • German: Funktions- — useful, serving a purpose
  • German: funktionell — useful, serving a purpose
  • German: Gebrauchs- — useful, serving a purpose
  • German: zweckmäßig — useful, serving a purpose
  • Greek: λειτουργικός (leitourgikós) — useful, serving a purpose
  • Irish: feidhmiúil — useful, serving a purpose
  • Irish: praiticiúil — useful, serving a purpose
  • Italian: funzionale — useful, serving a purpose
  • Japanese: 便利 (benri) — useful, serving a purpose
  • Japanese: 機能的な (kinōteki na) — useful, serving a purpose
  • Middle English: official — useful, serving a purpose
  • Norwegian Bokmål: funksjonell — useful, serving a purpose
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: funksjonell — useful, serving a purpose
  • Portuguese: funcional — useful, serving a purpose
  • Russian: функциона́льный (funkcionálʹnyj) — useful, serving a purpose
  • Spanish: útil — useful, serving a purpose
  • Swedish: funktionell — useful, serving a purpose
  • Turkish: işlevsel — useful, serving a purpose
  • Turkish: fonksiyonel — useful, serving a purpose
  • Bulgarian: функционален (funkcionalen) — only for functional purposes, notably in architecture
  • German: funktional — only for functional purposes, notably in architecture
  • German: funktionell (in der Medizin) — only for functional purposes, notably in architecture
  • Bulgarian: функционален (funkcionalen) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Danish: funktionel — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • French: fonctionnel — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Irish: feidhmiúil — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Italian: funzionante — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Kazakh: атқарымдық (atqarymdyq) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Kazakh: қызметтік (qyzmettık) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Kazakh: функционалды (funksionaldy) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Kazakh: функционалдық (funksionaldyq) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Kazakh: функциялық (funksiälyq) — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Portuguese: funcional — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Spanish: funcional — such that its symptoms cannot be referred to change of structure
  • Bulgarian: функционален (funkcionalen) — of or relating to a function or functions
  • German: funktional — of or relating to a function or functions
  • German: Funktions- — of or relating to a function or functions
  • Bulgarian: функционален (funkcionalen) — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Czech: funkcionální — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Danish: funktionel — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Finnish: funktionaalinen — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • German: funktional — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • German: funktions- — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • German: funktionell — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Greek: συναρτησιακός (synartisiakós) — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Italian: funzionale — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Polish: funkcyjny — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Russian: функциона́льный (funkcionálʹnyj) — having semantics defined purely in terms of mathematical functions, without side-effects
  • Bulgarian: функционал (funkcional) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Chinese Cantonese: 泛函 (faan3 haam4) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Chinese Mandarin: 泛函 (fànhán) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Dutch: functionaal — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Finnish: funktionaali — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • German: Funktional — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Hungarian: funkcionál — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Italian: funzionale — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Japanese: 汎関数 (hankansū) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Kazakh: функционал (funksional) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Polish: funkcjonał — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Russian: функциона́л (funkcionál) — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Swedish: funktional — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Turkish: işlevsi — a function that takes a function as its argument
  • Bulgarian: функционал (funkcional) — an object encapsulating a function pointer
  • Japanese: 関数オブジェクト (kansū obujekuto) — an object encapsulating a function pointer
Real reading context

functional in complete knowledge articles