Functioning

How to spell functioning

11 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce functioning

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does functioning mean?

1. adjectiveWorking or operating in the way it is meant to.
2. verbPresent participle of function: operating or performing a role.
3. nounThe manner in which something operates or carries out its role.

Functioning in a sentence

• adjective

  The flat came with a fully functioning kitchen and new appliances.

• verb

  The new team is functioning smoothly after only a week together.

• noun

  The report assessed the patient's cognitive functioning after the injury.

• adjective

  We kept one functioning printer in the office while the others were repaired.

• verb

  Despite the power cut, the backup generator was still functioning.

• noun

  Poor sleep has a measurable effect on daily functioning at work.

Where does functioning come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin verb fungi, meaning 'to perform, carry out, or discharge a duty'. From its past participle stem came the noun functio, which described the performing or execution of a task. English took the noun 'function' through French in the 1500s, and over time it grew the verb sense 'to operate or work as intended'. Adding the familiar '-ing' ending produced 'functioning', used both as a participle and as an adjective for something that is actually working. The same Latin fungi sits behind the related words 'defunct' (no longer functioning) and 'perfunctory' (done merely to discharge a duty), which is a useful reminder that the spelling keeps the 'funct' core intact.

How the word is built

• funct- (from Latin fungi: to perform, execute)
• -ion (noun-forming suffix)
• -ing (present participle / adjective suffix)