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dysfunction

Noun

IPA /dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/

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Meaning in plain English

A failure in the way a group, relationship or system is supposed to work.

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Pronunciation

dysfunction/dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn/

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A team needs to cooperate
Responsibilities clash
The team cannot work properly

Dysfunction means that the usual way of working has broken down.

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Constant arguments revealed serious dysfunction in the club.
The report linked the team's dysfunction to unclear responsibilities.

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Constant arguments revealed serious ________ in the club.

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dysfunction — A failure in the way a group, relationship or system is supposed to work.

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A failure in the way a group, relationship or system is supposed to work.

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Word origin

Formed from dys-, meaning bad or abnormal, and function; it first developed in medical use.

Did you know?

Dysfunctional is the adjective used for something that does not work properly.

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