functional

Pluralfunctionals

1. 1
   adjective

   Useful and good at doing the job it was made for.

   Like an old bike that still rides fine, even if it isn't pretty.

   This backpack is simple but very functional.

   We need a functional plan that everyone can follow.

   Similarpractical, useful, utilitarian, serviceable

   Oppositeimpractical, useless, decorative

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Working properly and ready to use.

   Like a clock that still keeps the right time.

   After the repair, the elevator is functional again.

   Only two of the printers are functional today.

   Similarworking, operational, operative, running

   Oppositebroken, inoperative, defective

3. 3
   adjective

   Having to do with a math function or functions.

   Like a rule that turns one number into another.

   The two amounts have a functional link: change one and the other changes.

   She drew a graph to show the functional connection between time and distance.

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Made only to be useful, not to look nice.

   Like a plain box built just to hold things, with no decoration.

   The new building looks plain because it is purely functional.

   He chose a functional desk with no fancy carving.

   Similarutilitarian, practical, plain, austere

   Oppositedecorative, ornamental, ornate

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Having to do with someone's job or official role.

   The mayor attended in a functional role, not as a private guest.

   Her functional duties include signing all official letters.

   Similarofficial

   Oppositepersonal, private

6. 6
   adjective

   Describing symptoms that happen without any physical damage to the body.

   Like a car that runs poorly even though nothing inside it is broken.

   The doctor said her stomach pain was functional, with no damage found.

   Functional symptoms can feel very real even when scans look normal.

   Oppositeorganic, structural

   Note
7. 7
   adjective

   Describing a style of computer code built from math-like functions that change nothing outside themselves.

   Like a vending machine: the same coins always give you the same snack.

   She wrote the app in a functional way, so the same input always gives the same result.

   Functional code is often easier to test.

   Similarpure

   Oppositeimperative

   Note
8. 8
   nouncountable

   In math, a rule that takes a whole vector and gives back a single number.

   A functional takes a whole vector and returns just one number.

   The class learned how a functional acts on each vector in the space.

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable

   In math, a rule that takes a whole function as its input and gives back a single number.

   Like a machine that eats a whole graph and gives you one number back.

   On the test, we had to work out the value of the functional for three different curves.

   Engineers use an energy functional to find the best shape for a hanging cable.

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    In programming, an object that holds a function so it can be passed around and called.

    She passed a functional to the sort routine to set the order.

    A functional lets you store a piece of code in a variable.

    Similarfunctor

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 10