3 syllables: func, tion, ing. Stress on func.
FUHNGK-shuh-ning
/ˈfʌŋkʃənɪŋ/
functioning is pronounced FUHNGK-shuh-ning (/ˈfʌŋkʃənɪŋ/). It has three syllables (func-tion-ing), with the stress on "func". Functioning refers to the state of operating or operating correctly within a system or the processes by which something operates. It can describe objects, organizations, or biological systems performing as intended, or the degree to which someone is able to perform tasks. In context, it often contrasts with malfunction or non-functioning. The term also appears in social and psychological discussions about daily living skills and adaptive functioning.
Functioning refers to the state of operating or operating correctly within a system or the processes by which something operates. It can describe objects, organizations, or biological systems performing as intended, or the degree to which someone is able to perform tasks. In context, it often contrasts with malfunction or non-functioning. The term also appears in social and psychological discussions about daily living skills and adaptive functioning.
"The machine is functioning normally after the maintenance check."
"Despite the outage, the backup systems are functioning well enough to keep operations running."
"Her functioning as a caregiver requires stamina and patience."
Pronounce as FUNK-shuh-ning with primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA: US: ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ; UK: ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ; AU: ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ. Break it into syllables: FUNK (with a short u as in 'funk') + shun (shən) + ing (ɪŋ). The 't' is not pronounced as a true stop here; it flows into the 'sh' cluster. Practice saying it slowly: /ˈfʌŋk/ + /ʃən/ + /ɪŋ/. You’ll hear a light elision between /k/ and /ʃ/ in rapid speech.
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., fuNCTIONing), pronouncing the /ʃ/ as /tʃ/ (tʃənɪŋ), or over-articulating the /t/ in the middle. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈfʌŋk/ and reduce the middle to /ʃən/ without a full /t/ release, producing /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/. Ensure the final -ing is a weak, unstressed /ɪŋ/ rather than a full syllable. Practice by linking /k/ to /ʃ/ smoothly: /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/.
Differences mainly involve rhoticity and vowel quality. US/Canada: rhotic /r/ and clear /ɪ/ in the final -ing; UK/AU: non-rhotic or reduced rhotics in some accents; final syllable vowel may be shortened. UK pronunciation often features a slightly shorter /ɪŋ/ and a less pronounced /r/; AU mirrors US vowel qualities but with Australian vowel shifts, and may have a more centralized /ʌ/ in /ʌŋk/. Overall, the primary stress remains on the first syllable, but the /k/ and /ʃ/ sequence may merge more in rapid UK speech.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster /ŋk/ followed by /ʃ/ leading into /ən/ and /ɪŋ/. The /ŋk/ combination requires a velar nasal release into /k/ before the /ʃ/ palatal fricative, which can blur in some speakers. Additionally, the multi-syllabic rhythm with primary stress on the first syllable and a fast transition to the /ʃən/ can lead to epenthesis or mis-stressing. Slow, deliberate practice helps; focus on the /ŋk/ + /ʃ/ transition and keep the final /ɪŋ/ light.
A distinctive feature is the /ŋk/ cluster followed by /ʃ/ in rapid flow, which many learners mishandle by inserting a visible /t/ or prolonging the middle vowel. The precise transition from /ŋk/ to /ʃ/ without an audible stop is key to natural-sounding speech. Also, the final syllable -ing often remains unstressed as /ɪŋ/, not a separate full vowel. Practicing slow, then progressively faster sequences helps stabilize this transitional flow.
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- US: rhotic /r/ is not prominent in this word, focus on clear /r/ absence; ensure /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/ with strong /ʃ/ and light final /ɪŋ/. - UK: non-rhotic tendency; you may hear slightly shorter middle /ʃən/ and a tighter vowel in /ʌ/; smoother transition /ŋkʃ/; keep stress on first syllable. - AU: similar to US but with more centralized vowels; maintain /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/ and reduce the final vowel reduction slightly; keep rhythm steady. IPA references: US - /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/, UK - /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/, AU - /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.ɪŋ/.
The word functioning originates from the verb function, which comes from Latin functionem (a performance, execution, or service), from functus, the past participle of fungi, meaning to perform or execute. In English, function entered Middle English via Old French, retaining the sense of performance, duty, or purpose. The suffix -ing emerged to form the present participle and gerund, expanding its use to describe ongoing processes or states. Historically, function referred to a purpose or role; by the 16th–17th centuries, it broadened to describe operations in machines, organs, and institutions. The modern sense of a system or organism operating correctly developed as technology and science advanced, with nonfunctional and malfunctioning becoming common descriptors for systems failing to operate. The term now spans technical, biological, social, and abstract domains, retaining a core emphasis on active, correct performance within a framework or set of rules. First known use in English as a verb sense dates to the 14th century, with noun senses becoming prevalent in the 16th and 17th centuries. In contemporary discourse, functioning often implies a degree of capability rather than absolute perfection, and is frequently used in research and clinical contexts to describe performance levels or adaptive capacity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "functioning" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "functioning"
-ing sounds
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