English Lexicon

Dysfunction

/dɪsˈfʌŋk.ʃən/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #6800 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    Impaired or abnormal functioning of a bodily system or organ.

    "The patient was diagnosed with a dysfunction of the thyroid gland."
  2. 2

    Failure to function in a normal or healthy manner, often used in social or psychological contexts.

    "The family was experiencing significant dysfunction due to unresolved conflicts."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix 'dys-' meaning 'bad', 'difficult', or 'impaired', combined with the English noun 'function', which traces back to the Latin 'functio' meaning 'performance' or 'execution'. Coined in the mid-20th century within sociological and medical contexts to denote abnormal or impaired functioning.

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