Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Function

//ˈfʌŋkʃən// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    What something does or is used for.

    "Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction."

  2. 2
    the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group wordnet
  3. 3
    A professional or official position.
  4. 4
    what something is used for wordnet
  5. 5
    An official or social occasion.

    "Our hotel is hosting a function for all the warehouse workers on the night of April 18."

Show 13 more definitions
  1. 6
    a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program wordnet
  2. 7
    An official or social occasion.; A party. slang
  3. 8
    a formal or official social gathering or ceremony of people wordnet
  4. 9
    Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.

    "Though most of the cases here cover European encounters with non-Europeans, it is not the intention of the book to give the impression that genocide is a function of European colonialism and imperialism alone."

  5. 10
    a formal or official social gathering or ceremony wordnet
  6. 11
    A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
  7. 12
    a relation such that one thing is dependent on another wordnet
  8. 13
    A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.
  9. 14
    (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function) wordnet
  10. 15
    A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
  11. 16
    The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
  12. 17
    The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
  13. 18
    The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
Verb
  1. 1
    To have a function. intransitive
  2. 2
    perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function wordnet
  3. 3
    To carry out a function; to be in action. intransitive

    "Although the laying workers functioned in a queenlike manner, they were unable to suppress ovarian development as effectively as the queen."

  4. 4
    perform as expected when applied wordnet
  5. 5
    serve a purpose, role, or function wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

Etymology 2

From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

See also for "function"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: function