functional

Definitions

function + -al (relating to) = 'relating to function' → 'able to perform its function.' From there it splits into 'actually working' (a functional engine) and 'practical, no-frills' (functional design, valued for what it does, not how it looks).

Common Collocations

• 1.fully functional功能完整的
• 2.functional design实用设计
• 3.functional requirements功能需求
• 4.functional programming函数式编程
• 5.functional value实用价值

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The car is old but still completely functional.

• 2.

  Their apartment is small but highly functional.

• 3.

  Doctors found no physical cause and called it a functional disorder.

Easily Confused

functional vs practical — Both praise usefulness, but functional stresses that something works / does its job (a functional kitchen actually operates), while practical stresses that something is sensible and convenient to use (practical shoes for walking). A broken-down but well-designed tool can be practical in concept yet not functional.