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# functional

adjective (functional, more functional, most functional)

«functional» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Working properly and able to do its job: a functional lift goes up and down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#m1)
2. Made to be useful and practical rather than pretty: a functional kitchen has what you need and no decorations. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#m2)
3. (maths) To do with functions, rules that turn each input number into one output number. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#m3)
4. (formal) Having a job or role inside a system: the heart is a functional part of the body. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science and design lessons «functional» means «does the job», and pupils are asked to make a product that is both functional and attractive. In maths it links to functions (input-output machines). In everyday life it is used for working machines and plain, practical things. Phrases: fully functional, functional design, functional clothing, still functional.

### Examples

- The old printer is slow, but it is still functional. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x1)
- Our design must be functional as well as good-looking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x2)
- The school canteen has plain, functional tables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x3)
- After the storm, only one lift was functional. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x4)
- Wellies are functional rather than fashionable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x5)
- The robot we built in class is now fully functional! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x6)
- A function machine turns each input into one output. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x7)
- Each part of a flower has a functional role. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/#x8)

### Note

Adjective formed from «function» + -al. Opposite: non-functional, broken, or decorative. «Functional» does not mean «fun»; the first letters are the same but the meanings are not. Do not mix it up with «fictional» (made up, from stories).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «functional» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/functional/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«functional» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/functional.html) on Mova free.