English Reference
Adverb

functionally

adv. manner
C1 Advanced US /ˈfəŋkʃənəɫi/ UK /fˈʌŋkʃənəli/ func·tion·al·ly

adv.in a way that relates to how something works or what its purpose is. It can also describe something that is true in practice, even if it is not officially that way.

adv.in a manner relating to the purpose or operation of something; in practical effect though not necessarily by official definition.


SIMPLE

The old computer is functionally useless for modern gaming.

CONTEXTUAL

Although the two departments are officially separate, they operate functionally as a single team to save time.

COMPLEX

The architect designed the building to be functionally efficient, ensuring that the layout maximized natural light while minimizing the energy required for climate control.

Usage

Often used to contrast a practical reality with a formal or theoretical status.

This is functionally the fastest mobile processor in the world, featuring eight high-speed Oryon CPU cores and an Adreno GPU that can rival some laptop chips.

Ars Technica· 14 Aug 2026

Despite their catchy marketing names, the systems are all functionally similar—each offers a very comparable feature set.

Ars Technica· 21 Jul 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated