dysfunction

/dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən/ (ame, mw)

dysfunction — noun

  • dysfunctionsingular
  • dysfunctionsplural

1. a condition in which an organ, a limb, or a piece of equipment does not work in

1.名詞B2
釋義

a condition in which an organ, a limb, or a piece of equipment does not work in the normal or expected way

例句

Arjun's doctor told him his liver dysfunction was caused by a long-term viral infection.

collocation: liver dysfunction / kidney dysfunction

The mechanic found a serious dysfunction in the car's braking system before the test drive.

同義詞
  • malfunction

    more common for machines and devices; less common for body parts

  • impairment

    more formal and general; often used for physical or mental abilities

  • disorder

    broader in meaning; covers any medical condition, not just problems with functioning

反義詞

文法句型

dysfunction + of + [body part / machine]

[organ] dysfunction

用法筆記

Often used in medical contexts with a specific organ name placed before the word, such as liver dysfunction or kidney dysfunction. Can be countable (a dysfunction) when referring to one specific problem, or uncountable when discussing the condition in general.

常見錯誤

❌He was diagnosed with dysfunction.
✅He was diagnosed with liver dysfunction.
💡In medical English, dysfunction usually needs a specific organ or system named before it.

2. a breakdown of healthy communication or behaviour within a group such as a famil

2.名詞B2
釋義

a breakdown of healthy communication or behaviour within a group such as a family, an organisation, or a society, causing them to stop functioning well together

例句

The therapist worked with the Kwame family to address the growing dysfunction in their daily communication.

collocation: family dysfunction

Years of political dysfunction kept the country from building new schools or hospitals for its people.

pattern: political dysfunction / social dysfunction

同義詞
  • breakdown

    more sudden and complete; often implies a total collapse of communication

  • disharmony

    focuses on lack of agreement or compatibility rather than failure to function

  • discord

    stresses active disagreement and conflict rather than a general failure to work together

反義詞
  • harmony

    a state of agreement and healthy functioning

  • stability

    a state where relationships are balanced and working well

文法句型

[social unit] + dysfunction

dysfunction + in/within + [social unit]

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. The type of group is usually named before the word: family dysfunction, political dysfunction, organisational dysfunction. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to a physical or mechanical fault rather than a breakdown in relationships.

常見錯誤

❌The family had a dysfunction.
✅The family experienced dysfunction.
💡Dysfunction in this sense is usually uncountable; avoid using 'a dysfunction' for social situations.
❌There was dysfunction between the two brothers.
✅There was dysfunction in the relationship between the two brothers.
💡Use 'dysfunction in' rather than 'dysfunction between'.