How to pronounce functional
Say it like FUHNGK-shuh-nul. Functional has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUHNGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce functional. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUHNGK
- shuh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Functional pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of functional
American and British speakers say functional in essentially the same way: /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/ in the US and /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: FUHNGK-shuh-nul.
What does functional mean?
- designed for or capable of a particular function or use“a style of writing in which every word is functional”“functional architecture”
- involving or affecting function rather than physiology“functional deafness”
- relating to or based on function especially as opposed to structure“the problem now is not a constitutional one; it is a functional one”“delegates elected on a functional rather than a geographical basis”
Where does functional come from?
From function + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying functional
How do you pronounce functional?
Say FUHNGK-shuh-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/. In British English it is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in functional?
Functional has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUHNGK). Broken into parts: FUHNGK · shuh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say functional the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/ and the British form is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.