A2 noun Neutral #354 most common

function

/ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/

The purpose or special duty that a person or thing has. It can also refer to a formal social event or a party.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The main function of a refrigerator is to keep food cold.

The main function of a refrigerator is to keep food cold.

2

The mayor will attend the opening function of the new library.

The mayor will attend the opening function of the new library.

3

I don't know the function of this little button on the remote.

I don't know the function of this little button on the remote.

Word Family

Noun
function
Verb
function
Adverb
functionally
Adjective
functional
Related
functionality
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Fun' in 'Function' - if a tool is 'Functional', it's 'fun' because it actually works!

Quick Quiz

The primary ______ of a pen is to write.

Correct!

The correct answer is: function

Examples

1

The main function of a refrigerator is to keep food cold.

everyday

The main function of a refrigerator is to keep food cold.

2

The mayor will attend the opening function of the new library.

formal

The mayor will attend the opening function of the new library.

3

I don't know the function of this little button on the remote.

informal

I don't know the function of this little button on the remote.

4

In this essay, we will analyze the function of the heart in the body.

academic

In this essay, we will analyze the function of the heart in the body.

5

The marketing department has an important function in our company strategy.

business

The marketing department has an important function in our company strategy.

Word Family

Noun
function
Verb
function
Adverb
functionally
Adjective
functional
Related
functionality

Common Collocations

primary function primary function
social function social function
perform a function perform a function
vital function vital function
brain function brain function

Common Phrases

form follows function

form follows function

administrative function

administrative function

public function

public function

Often Confused With

function vs purpose

Purpose is the reason why something exists, while function is the specific way it works or the job it does.

📝

Usage Notes

When referring to a social event, 'function' usually implies it is formal or work-related rather than just a casual party.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'work' as a noun when they mean 'function' (e.g., 'the work of this tool' instead of 'the function of this tool').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Fun' in 'Function' - if a tool is 'Functional', it's 'fun' because it actually works!

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'functio', meaning performance or execution.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one function, two functions Often used with 'of': the function of the liver
🌍

Cultural Context

In business culture, attending a 'function' often means a semi-formal networking event.

Quick Quiz

The primary ______ of a pen is to write.

Correct!

The correct answer is: function

Related Words

intervolive

C1

To wind, twist, or roll together in an intricate or complex manner. It refers to the physical or metaphorical act of intertwining multiple elements so they become a single, complex unit.

intratendion

C1

Pertaining to the interior or internal structure of a tendon. It is most commonly used in clinical medicine and radiology to describe injuries, injections, or structural changes located specifically within the tendon fibers rather than on the surface.

bigeoent

C1

A bigeoent refers to a biological entity or organism whose existence and physical characteristics are fundamentally intertwined with a specific geographic environment. It is a technical term used in ecology to describe species that are strictly endemic to a particular landform or geological structure.

untangous

C1

Describing something that is naturally free from knots, complications, or intricate twists. It can refer to physical objects that do not entangle easily or abstract concepts that are remarkably clear and straightforward.

recelerine

C1

Characterized by a secretive or concealing nature, specifically relating to the act of harboring or hiding something illicit or private. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe spaces, behaviors, or objects that are intentionally obscured from sight.

hyperlocate

C1

Describing something that is targeted, positioned, or tracked with extreme geographic precision, typically within a very small area like a specific building or street corner. It is most commonly used in digital marketing and logistics to describe services that react to a user's exact micro-location.

encival

C1

To formally document or incorporate something into a civic, legal, or historical record. It specifically refers to the act of ensuring a concept or event is preserved within the official administrative framework of a society.

deequacy

C1

To systematically reduce the quality, sufficiency, or effectiveness of a system or process until it falls below required standards. It involves the intentional or incidental degradation of adequacy within a specific functional framework.

cojunctic

C1

A cojunctic is a specific constituent part or an individual element within a linked logical set or complex structure. In technical contexts, it refers to one of several items that are joined together to form a functional or logical whole.

homothermty

C1

Homothermty (more commonly known as homeothermy) refers to the physiological condition of maintaining a stable internal body temperature regardless of the external environment. This process allows organisms to remain active in a wide range of temperatures by using internal metabolic heat.

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