Adjacent Words

functional definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: designed for or capable of a particular function or use; "a style of writing in which every word is functional"; "functional architecture" [ant: nonfunctional]
2: involving or affecting function rather than physiology; "functional deafness" [ant: organic]
3: relating to or based on function especially as opposed to structure; "the problem now is not a constitutional one; it is a functional one"; "delegates elected on a functional rather than a geographical basis"
4: fit or ready for use or service; "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" [syn: functional, usable, useable, operable, operational]
5: designed for or adapted to a function or use; "functional education selects knowledge that is concrete and usable rather than abstract and theoretical"; "functional architecture"
6: (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes" [syn: running, operative, functional, working]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Date: 1631 1. a. of, connected with, or being a function b. affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure <functional heart disease> 2. used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole <functional and practical school courses>; also designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use <functional clothing> 3. performing or able to perform a regular function • functionally adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. 1 of or serving a function. 2 (esp. of buildings) designed or intended to be practical rather than attractive; utilitarian. 3 Physiol. a (esp. of disease) of or affecting only the functions of an organ etc., not structural or organic. b (of mental disorder) having no discernible organic cause. c (of an organ) having a function, not functionless or rudimentary. 4 Math. of a function. Phrases and idioms: functional group Chem. a group of atoms that determine the reactions of a compound containing the group. Derivatives: functionality n. functionally adv.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Functional Func"tion*al, a. 1. Pertaining to, or connected with, a function or duty; official. 2. (Physiol.) Pertaining to the function of an organ or part, or to the functions in general. Functional disease (Med.), a disease of which the symptoms cannot be referred to any appreciable lesion or change of structure; the derangement of an organ arising from a cause, often unknown, external to itself opposed to organic disease, in which the organ itself is affected.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. Functional things are useful rather than decorative. ...modern, functional furniture... The decor is functional. ADJ 2. Functional means relating to the way in which something works or operates, or relating to how useful it is. ...rules defining the territorial boundaries and functional limits of the local state. ADJ: ADJ n 3. Functional equipment works or operates in the way that it is supposed to. We have fully functional smoke alarms on all staircases. = operational ADJ

Moby Thesaurus

acting, active, adjectival, advantageous, adverbial, agential, agentival, agentive, appropriate, at work, attributive, banausic, behavioral, beneficial, commodious, conjunctive, copulative, correct, effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, employable, essential, expedient, fitting, formal, functioning, glossematic, go, going, going on, good for, grammatic, handy, helpful, important, in exercise, in force, in hand, in operation, in play, in practice, in process, in the works, inaction, industrial, intransitive, linking, managerial, manipulational, neuropsychiatric, nominal, of general utility, of help, of service, of use, official, on foot, on the fire, ongoing, operating, operational, operative, participial, performing, postpositional, practicable, practical, practicing, pragmatical, prepositional, pro, professional, pronominal, proper, psychiatric, psychobiological, psychodynamic, psychogenic, psychological, psychoneurological, psychopathic, psychopathological, psychophysical, psychophysiological, psychosexual, psychosocial, psychosomatic, psychotic, running, serviceable, serving, structural, substantive, syntactic, tagmemic, technical, transitive, useful, utilitarian, verbal, vocational, working