Meaning & use
functional equivalent
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Meanings
nouncountable
A thing that does the same job or serves the same purpose as another thing, though it may be different in form.
Grammar: Commonly used with 'of' or 'to': a functional equivalent of the old system.
Patterns
- functional equivalent of something
- functional equivalent to something
- a functional equivalent
Email is a functional equivalent of a letter, but it arrives much faster.
The new app is a functional equivalent of the paper diary, with extra reminders.
In some languages, there is no functional equivalent of the English word 'privacy'.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Having the same function or purpose as something else, even if different in form.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a functional equivalent device.
Patterns
- functional equivalent system
- functional equivalent method
The team designed a functional equivalent system that costs much less.
They proposed a functional equivalent method for testing the material.
Word forms
| plural | functional equivalents |
|---|
Common combinations
- a functional equivalent of
- A smartphone is a functional equivalent of a personal computer for many tasks.
- serve as a functional equivalent
- This simple tool can serve as a functional equivalent of the expensive machine.
- find a functional equivalent
- Translators often have to find a functional equivalent for idioms.
- no functional equivalent
- There is no functional equivalent for this traditional remedy in modern medicine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- substitute
- A substitute replaces something, often temporarily; a functional equivalent emphasizes that it does the same job, not just that it replaces.
- counterpart
- A counterpart is a person or thing with the same role in a different place; a functional equivalent focuses on the same function, not the same role.
Word family
- functional equivalence noun
- The state of being functionally equivalent.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'functional equivalent' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The usual preposition after 'functional equivalent' is 'of'. 'To' is sometimes possible but less common; 'for' and 'with' do not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “functional equivalent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.