malfunction

A malfunctioning electronic display at Bras Basah MRT Station in Singapore

From mal- (“bad, incorrect”) + function.

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˌmælˈfʌŋk.ʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌŋkʃən

malfunction (plural malfunctions)

1. Faulty functioning.

   Synonyms: dysfunction, misfunction

2. Failure to function.

• malfunction routine
• malfunction junction
• wardrobe malfunction

malfunction (third-person singular simple present malfunctions, present participle malfunctioning, simple past and past participle malfunctioned)

1. To function improperly.

   She told him the machine was poorly built, but they both knew that she was the one who had malfunctioned.

2. To fail to function.