Home / Dictionary / Function

Function Very Common

Origin: Latin suffix -tion

Function has 12 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

"Students learned to graph a quadratic function where every input value in the domain maps to exactly one output in the range."

2

what something is used for

"the function of an auger is to bore holes"

"ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"

3

the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

"the function of a teacher"

"the government must do its part"

"play its role"

4

a relation such that one thing is dependent on another

"height is a function of age"

"price is a function of supply and demand"

5

a formal or official social gathering or ceremony

"it was a black-tie function"

6

a vaguely specified social event

"the party was quite an affair"

"an occasion arranged to honor the president"

"a seemingly endless round of social functions"

7

a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

"The developer added a new function to the codebase that automatically sorts user data before saving it to the database."

8

What something does or is used for.

"The main function of a seatbelt is to protect passengers during an accident."

In plain English: A function is a rule that takes an input and gives you exactly one output based on that rule.

"The main function of this software is to organize your contacts."

Usage: Use "function" to describe the specific purpose or operation of an object, system, or part of the body. Avoid using it interchangeably with "feature," which refers to a characteristic rather than a primary job.

Verb
1

perform as expected when applied

"The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"

"Does this old car still run well?"

"This old radio doesn't work anymore"

2

serve a purpose, role, or function

"The tree stump serves as a table"

"The female students served as a control group"

"This table would serve very well"

"His freedom served him well"

"The table functions as a desk"

3

perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

"His wife officiated as his private secretary"

4

To have a function.

"We will host an office party next Friday to celebrate our team's success, so please make sure you can attend the function."

In plain English: To function means to work properly or do what something is supposed to do.

"The new software update allows your phone to function more smoothly."

Usage: Use "function" as a verb to mean that something works properly or performs its intended purpose, such as saying the machine functions well after repair. Avoid using it to simply mean "having a role" when you intend to describe someone's job duties, which is better expressed with words like "serve" or "act.

Example Sentences
"The main function of this software is to organize your contacts." noun
"The remote control function allows you to adjust the volume without getting up from your seat." noun
"This software update added several new functions to improve battery life and security features." noun
"Each employee has a specific function within the organization that contributes to our overall success." noun
"The new software update allows your phone to function more smoothly." verb
Related Terms
gudermannian sneeze smell division memory taste unspecialized definite integral integral equation lambda function encephalize agroecosystem quasi corporation f5 break polygamma function service surjection use essential infimum
Antonyms
misfunction
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
mathematical relation utility duty relation social gathering social event software suffice serve
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
polynomial expansion inverse function Kronecker delta metric function transformation isometry operator trigonometric function threshold function exponential raison d'etre capacity hat portfolio stead second fiddle party celebration ceremony fundraiser photo opportunity sleepover cataloged procedure contingency procedure library routine random number generator recursive routine reusable routine supervisory routine tracing routine utility routine double roll run cut service prelude act as

Origin

The word "function" comes from the Latin functio, meaning "performance" or "execution." It ultimately traces back to a root related to the idea of enjoying or performing an action.

Rhyming Words
ion aion tion zion pion sion gion bion fion lion dion cion rion orion obion axion deion trion diion arion
Compare
Function vs