malfunction
1 synonym and 1 antonym for malfunction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A failure to work correctly, usually referring to equipment or a system.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A failure to work correctly, usually referring to equipment or a system.
“The plane was grounded due to a mechanical malfunction.”
2. verb
To fail to work correctly.
“The smoke alarm malfunctioned and went off in the middle of the night.”
Opposites
How to use malfunction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a mechanical malfunction
the equipment malfunctioned
a technical malfunction
Etymology
From mal- ("bad, incorrect") plus "function."
Full origin of malfunction →Frequently asked questions
What does “malfunction” mean?
The word “malfunction” means a failure to work correctly, usually referring to equipment or a system. In plain terms, used for machines, devices, or systems that stop working properly.
How do you pronounce “malfunction”?
“Malfunction” is pronounced mal-FUHNGK-shuhn (/ˌmælˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “malfunction” in a sentence?
Here is “malfunction” used in a sentence: “The plane was grounded due to a mechanical malfunction.”
What part of speech is “malfunction”?
Depending on how it is used, “malfunction” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “malfunction” a common word?
“Malfunction” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “malfunction” have?
“Malfunction” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a failure to work correctly, usually referring to equipment or a system.
