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Meaning & use

disfunction

noun·Academicrare

Last updated

UK/dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/
US/dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    A nonstandard spelling of dysfunction, meaning a problem that stops a body part or system from working as it should.

    Grammar: Countable for a specific problem (a disfunction) or uncountable in general (organ disfunction).

    Patterns

    • disfunction of something

    The doctor tested for kidney disfunction, though the standard spelling is dysfunction.

    Writers often misspell dysfunction as disfunction in school essays.

    Software disfunction shut the system down for an hour.

  2. noununcountable

    A breakdown in the healthy working of a family, group or organization.

    Grammar: Usually without an article: disfunction in the office.

    Patterns

    • disfunction in something

    Constant arguments pointed to deeper disfunction in the team.

    Counselors described the disfunction within the household.

Word forms

pluraldisfunctions

Common combinations

family disfunction
The novel explores family disfunction across three generations.
organizational disfunction
Missed deadlines were a sign of organizational disfunction.
sexual disfunction
The clinic treats sexual disfunction, spelled dysfunction in most medical texts.
signs of disfunction
The audit revealed signs of disfunction in the finance office.

Synonyms and how they differ

dysfunction
Dysfunction is the correct, standard spelling and should be used in formal writing.
malfunction
Malfunction is a mechanical or technical failure, while disfunction also covers relationships and organizations.
disorder
Disorder is a broader medical term for a condition, not just a failure in working.

Opposites

function

Word family

dysfunction noun
the standard spelling
dysfunctional adjective
not working normally
disfunctional adjective
nonstandard spelling of dysfunctional
function noun
the purpose or normal working of something

Commonly confused: disfunction or dysfunction?

disfunction vs dysfunction

Dysfunction (with y) is the accepted spelling; the prefix is Greek dys-, meaning bad or difficult, not dis-.

Practice

Which is the standard spelling of the word meaning a failure to work normally?

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