dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

variants or less commonly disfunction

1

: impaired or abnormal functioning

gastrointestinal dysfunction

2

: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group

family dysfunction

Examples of dysfunction in a Sentence

The disease causes gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a corrupt web of government dysfunction and one-upmanship. —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025

After this upset playoff defeat, Phoenix began to come apart at the seams and the dysfunction began to become apparent. —Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Given previous bullying allegations about Meghan Markle, this serves to further compound the perception of dysfunction and conflict constantly surrounding them both. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Albers and colleagues are interested in whether olfactory dysfunction — the sometimes-subtle loss of sense of smell — can serve as an early warning sign for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and traumatic brain injury. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dys- + function entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysfunction

• erectile dysfunction
• minimal brain dysfunction

Rhymes for dysfunction

• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• injunction
• inunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• function
• junction
• unction

Kids Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning

liver dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion

variants also disfunction

(ˈ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body) see minimal brain dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

dysfunctioning

-shə-niŋ 

noun