Malfunction Meaning
/ˌmælˈfʌŋk.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounFaulty functioning.
nounFailure to function.
Sentence Examples
Janet Jackson had a wardrobe malfunction.
A major malfunction stopped the car.
The repair for the system malfunction lasted for an entire night.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engine stopped suddenly due to a ____ in the fuel system.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A technical ____ caused the entire computer system to crash, leading to a lot of lost work and time today.
Word Origin & History
From mal- (“bad, incorrect”) + function.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This weekend, as videos of robotaxi malfunctions began appearing on social media, opponents say they are seeing their fears realized."
— 2023 August 14, Kari Paul, “Robotaxi breakdowns cause mayhem in San Francisco days after expansion vote”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"A former OceanGate scientific director said the Titan submersible suffered a malfunction six days before imploding in June 2023, killing all five people on board."
— 2024 September 19, Alaa Elassar and Graham Hurley, “Titan submersible malfunctioned days prior to the fatal dive, former scientific director testifies”, in CNN:
"Due to a communications error, according to gaming officials, the slot machine malfunctioned and didn’t notify Taylor or casino personnel that he was a winner."
— 2022 February 6, Amanda Jackson, “A slot machine in Las Vegas malfunctioned and didn’t tell a tourist he won. The gaming board tracked him down”, in CNN:
"The group has started collecting reports of malfunctioning, crashing, or dangerous self-driving cars on its website."
— 2023 August 14, Kari Paul, “Robotaxi breakdowns cause mayhem in San Francisco days after expansion vote”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"A 39-year-old British woman was killed when a malfunctioning ottoman bed fell on her neck and asphyxiated her, a coroner’s report said."
— 2024 October 14, Issy Ronald, “Woman killed by malfunctioning ottoman bed”, in CNN:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engine stopped suddenly due to a ____ in the fuel system.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A technical ____ caused the entire computer system to crash, leading to a lot of lost work and time today.