Word
dysfunctional
Phoneticsdys·func·tion·al, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈfəŋkʃənəɫ/
UK/dɪsfˈʌŋkʃənəl/
Definitions
01unhealthy relationships
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a group of people, like a family or a team, who do not work well together and often have many problems or arguments.
adj. characterised by abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behaviour within a social group, particularly a family unit, that prevents productive or harmonious functioning.
“The characters in the movie belong to a very dysfunctional family that cannot stop arguing.”
“Psychologists often examine how growing up in a dysfunctional household affects a person's ability to form stable adult relationships later in life.”
Teaching tip
While this can be a technical term in psychology, it is very common in everyday English to describe any group that is messy or full of conflict.
Antonyms
02not working properly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not working the way it is supposed to work.
adj. failing to perform the required or expected operation; used for mechanical, biological, or administrative systems.
“The city's dysfunctional public transport system makes it very difficult for people to get to work on time.”
“The audit revealed a dysfunctional procurement process that allowed costs to spiral out of control without any oversight from the board.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“I was a happy, chatty child, but my home life was quite dysfunctional.” “What also works is replacing old, dysfunctional relationships with newer, healthier community bonds.” Etymology
From dysfunction + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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