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functioning

/ˈfʌŋkʃənɪŋ/

When used as an adjective, "functioning" describes whether something is working correctly (e.g., a functioning clock). It is often paired with adverbs like "fully" or "barely." As a verb, it is the present participle of "function." In these cases, it usually describes a current state or role rather than a one-time action. Be careful not to confuse this with "functional," which often refers to the design or purpose of an object (e.g., "a functional piece of furniture") rather than whether it is currently working.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon on a dusty Martian outpost, Tom is staring at a broken coffee machine.
Commander Tom

The espresso maker finally kicked the bucket. I'm losing my mind.

Commander Tom
Xylar
Xylar

Per Regulation 4-B, your unit is only functioning as a beverage dispenser if the permit is current.

💡
Tom uses the idiom 'kicked the bucket' to mean the machine has died/broken. Xylar responds with bureaucratic coldness, using 'functioning' to describe the machine's legal status and capacity rather than its mechanical state, highlighting their obsession with rules over Tom's emotional distress.

Meanings

adjective

Capable of operating or working in a proper or normal manner.

"The rescue team ensured the communication equipment was fully functioning before starting the mission."

verb (intransitive)

To operate or work in a specific way; to perform a particular activity.

"The new software is functioning as intended, although it requires significant memory."

verb (transitive)

To serve as or act in a particular capacity or role.

"In the absence of a manager, Sarah is functioning as the team lead for this project."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error