Some English adverbs function as adjectives.
Source: tatoeba (26310)
Function
/ˈfʌŋkʃən/
Synonyms for "function" (385 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (77)
Noun(19 words)
mapmappingpurposeroleuseability to workactaffairagencyaimapplicationbehavior stylecallbackcapacitiesceremonycommon nonbiological eventcorrespondencescruisingdate events
actact asactingactionactivismactivitiesactivityaffairaffairsaimambitionanimusappositiveargumentaspirationassignmentattributeattributivebaccalaureate servicebag
Show 30 more words
banquetbe effectivebe in actionbehavebehaviorbusinesscapacitycelebrationceremonialceremonycharacterchorecommencementcommercecommissioncomplementconcernconcernmentconstruction modifierconvocationcounselcuttingdeep structuredesiderationdesideratumdesigndesiredeterminationdinnerdirect object
Adjective(4 words)
agential rolebiological functionchaotic mapcomputational routine
Strong matches (116)
do dutydoingdutyeffectelementemployemploymentempty formalityend useenterpriseequationeventexerciseexercisesfacultyfillerfixed purposeformform of worshipform-function unit
Show 47 more words
formalformalityformulaformularyfunfunctioninggalagatheringgogoalgraduationgraduation exerciseshave effecthave free playhave playholdholy riteic analysisideaimmediate constituent analysisimmediate purposeinauguralinaugurationindirect objectinitiationinstitutionintendmentintentintentioninterestjoblaborlevellevelsliturgylivelookoutmakemanagemarkmattermeaningmilitatemindmissionmode of worshipmodifier
Adjective(8 words)
dutch transformatieecological roleexisting systemfunctional relationfunctional rolegeometric propertiesitalian trasformazionelatin processus
Noun(35 words)
Preposition(1 words)
for the purpose
Verb(4 words)
Determiner(1 words)
most running
Related words (192)
motivemovemovementsmummerymysterynisusobjectobjectiveobservanceoccasionoccupationofficeofficiateoperateoperationoperational purposeoperationsorder of worshipordinancepart
Show 84 more words
partypercolateperformperform asperformanceperkphrase structureplaceplanplayplypointpositionpostpowerpracticepraxispredicateprescribed formproceedprocessprojectproposalprospectusprovincepurposequalifierraison d'etrerankranksreactreceptionreligious ceremonyresolutionresolveresponsibilityriterite de passagerite of passageritualritual observanceritualityrolerunsacramentsacramentalsakeserveserviceshallow structureslotslot and fillersolemnitysolemnizationstratastrivingstructurestudysubjectsurface structureswingsyntactic analysissyntactic structuresyntacticssyntaxtagmemetaketake effecttargettaskthingtickultimate purposeunderlying structureundertakinguseviewwillword arrangementword orderworkwork asworkingworkings
Noun(69 words)
muscle actionoccasionofficeoffice tasksopen library systemoperateoperate controllablyoperatingoperations functionoperatoroperatorsorganization functionorganizational rolepartpart of grouppartyperformperformingpowered by gravityprocedure
Show 49 more words
procedurăprogramming constructpurposesreceptionrelaterelationrolesromanian transformaromanian transformareroutineroutinesrulerunrun mechanicallyrun reveals faultrunssambaschool gatheringscript featureserveservesservingsingle-valued functionsocial affairsocial functionsocial gatheringsocial occasionspanish transformaciónstudy team rolessubprogramsubprogramssubroutinesubroutinesto betransformtransformationtransformationsurban ecosystem functioninguse ingeniouslyusesverbo di cambiamentowhirrsworkwork capacitieswork output capacitywork properlywork tasksworking memory capacityworks
Adjective(6 words)
nonurban ecosystem functionnormal functionofficial capacityprimary language for learningprimary purposesocial adjective
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: map, mapping, purpose, role, use.
- Sentence evidence is available for function, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "function".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "function"
Keep "function" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "function" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "function", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "function" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
34 entriesShowing 16 of 34 words.
More specific
15 entriesCollocations
11 entriescentral functionfamily functionfunction callfunction keyfunction of the heartfunction tablefunctional relationshipmachine functionmathematical functionschool functionsystem function
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
6 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
4 entriesTranslations
27 translations across 17 languages.
Dutch
1 entries- gelegenheid noun (official or social occasion)
Finnish
2 entries- tapahtuma noun (official or social occasion)
- tilaisuus noun (official or social occasion)
German
3 entries- Feier noun (official or social occasion)
- Festveranstaltung noun (official or social occasion)
- Funktion noun (official or social occasion)
Greek
2 entries- δεξίωση noun (official or social occasion)
- τελετή noun (official or social occasion)
Hebrew
1 entries- אירוע \ אֵרוּעַ noun (official or social occasion)
Hindi
1 entries- प्रसंग noun (official or social occasion)
Hungarian
3 entries- fogadás noun (official or social occasion)
- rendezvény noun (official or social occasion)
- összejövetel noun (official or social occasion)
Italian
3 entries- cerimonia noun (official or social occasion)
- funzione noun (official or social occasion)
- ricevimento noun (official or social occasion)
Korean
1 entries- 행사 noun (official or social occasion)
Manx
1 entries- cruinnaght noun (official or social occasion)
Norwegian Bokmål
2 entries- tilstelling noun (official or social occasion)
- tilstelning noun (official or social occasion)
Norwegian Nynorsk
1 entries- tilstelling noun (official or social occasion)
Portuguese
1 entries- função noun (official or social occasion)
Romansch
1 entries- funcziun noun (official or social occasion)
Russian
1 entries- фу́нкция noun (official or social occasion)
Spanish
1 entries- función noun (official or social occasion)
Swedish
2 entries- bjudning noun (official or social occasion)
- tillställning noun (official or social occasion)
Sample sentences
15 total sentences available.
The motor does not function properly.
Source: tatoeba (31134)
The function of the brake is to stop the car.
Source: tatoeba (34105)
The function of the machine is to save work.
Source: tatoeba (48831)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "function"?
Closest matches include map, mapping, purpose, role, use.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "function"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.