Meaning & use
high-functioning
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Able to manage everyday work and life well, in spite of a condition or difficulty that might otherwise cause problems.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: a high-functioning adult. It can also follow a verb: she is high-functioning.
Patterns
- high-functioning despite something
Many people with anxiety are high-functioning and hold demanding jobs.
He is a high-functioning adult who lives on his own and works full time.
The doctor described her as high-functioning, although she still struggled with sleep.
adjectivebefore a noun
Working very effectively, as a team, system or organization does.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: a high-functioning team.
The hospital runs as a high-functioning team under pressure.
A high-functioning department needs clear goals and trust.
They built a high-functioning system that rarely failed.
Word forms
| comparative | higher-functioning |
|---|
Common combinations
- high-functioning autism
- He was diagnosed with what was then called high-functioning autism.
- high-functioning team
- A high-functioning team shares information openly.
- high-functioning adult
- She is a high-functioning adult with a busy schedule.
- high-functioning alcoholic
- The film shows a high-functioning alcoholic hiding his problem.
- remain high-functioning
- Many patients remain high-functioning with the right support.
Synonyms and how they differ
- capable
- Capable is general praise for ability and does not suggest managing despite a condition.
- well-adjusted
- Well-adjusted stresses a healthy emotional balance, while high-functioning stresses coping with daily tasks.
- efficient
- Efficient describes a system or person doing work with little waste, and has no link to health conditions.
- well-run
- Well-run is used for organizations and is not used about people.
Opposites
Word family
- function verb
- to work or operate
- functioning noun
- the way something works
- dysfunctional adjective
- not working in a normal or healthy way
- functional adjective
- working properly or practical
Commonly confused: high-functioning or high-functioning vs highly functional?
high-functioning vs high-functioning vs highly functional
Highly functional usually describes an object or design that works very well, while high-functioning is used for people and groups.
Practice
Which sentence uses high-functioning in a natural way?
Choose one answer.
High-functioning describes people, teams or systems that work well. It does not fit weather, food or roads.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “high-functioning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.