Functional
adj.capable, calmprofessional
What it means
Working effectively and suited to its intended purpose.
Reach for it when describing something that works and serves its intended purpose
The repaired kitchen is simple, safe, and fully functional.
Choose between these
6- everyday
basic operation is the only claim supported
not when Working says nothing about suitability, safety, or ease of use.
- warm
real use and convenience matter more than appearance
not when Practical design may still be broken or unfinished.
- professional
the item meets a defined intended use
not when The phrase requires a named purpose and does not promise excellence.
- professional
equipment or a service is ready for actual use
not when Operational can meet a minimal state while important features remain unavailable.
- professional
people can complete the intended task
not when Usable is a lower bar than effective, accessible, or pleasant.
- formal
serviceable
condition is adequate for continued use
not when Serviceable often sounds like faint praise.
Said against
4- broken
- nonfunctional
- impractical
- decorative-only
It naturally appears in
3- fully functional
The repaired lift is now fully functional.
- functional design
The functional design keeps every control within reach.
- remain functional
The radio must remain functional during an outage.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense: working or designed for practical use opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.