malfunction
B2formal/technical
Definition
Meaning
to fail to function or work properly
a failure to operate normally or correctly; a breakdown in the intended function of a device, system, or part of the body
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used for machines, electronics, and technical systems, but can be extended metaphorically to biological systems (e.g., "organ malfunction") or abstract systems (e.g., "market malfunction"). The word implies a deviation from normal operation rather than complete destruction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it similarly for technical and formal contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both dialects; no strong regional connotations.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English technical manuals and IT contexts, but widely used in British English as well.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
malfunction (intransitive verb)experience/have/suffer a malfunction (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The lights went out due to a system malfunction.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports about equipment failures affecting productivity.
Academic
Appears in engineering, computing, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Less common in casual conversation; typically replaced by 'break down' or 'stop working'.
Technical
Precise term in IT, mechanics, aviation, and healthcare for documented failures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lift malfunctioned between floors.
- His pacemaker began to malfunction during the marathon.
American English
- The printer malfunctioned right before the deadline.
- The traffic lights malfunctioned at the intersection.
adjective
British English
- The malfunction indicator lit up on the dashboard.
- A malfunction alert was sent to the control room.
American English
- The malfunction light started flashing.
- They identified a malfunction component in the assembly line.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The television malfunctioned and wouldn't turn on.
- The engineers fixed the malfunction in the heating system.
- A software malfunction caused the entire network to crash unexpectedly.
- The investigation concluded that a sensor malfunction had precipitated the industrial accident.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MALfunction = MAL (bad/evil in Latin) + FUNCTION → a bad function → something not working right.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH/ILLNESS (a machine 'falls ill' or 'gets sick' when it malfunctions).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'неправильная функция'. Use 'сбой', 'неисправность', 'отказ' for noun; 'давать сбой', 'выходить из строя' for verb.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'malfunction' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'The virus malfunctioned the computer' is wrong; correct: 'The computer malfunctioned'). Confusing 'malfunction' (technical failure) with 'dysfunction' (more often social/biological).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'malfunction' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely for animals/people directly (sounds unnatural). It is used for organs or biological systems (e.g., 'liver malfunction'), treating them as mechanical systems.
'Malfunction' is more formal/technical and suggests a failure within a system, while 'break down' is more general and colloquial, often implying complete stoppage.
Both. As a noun: 'a serious malfunction'. As an intransitive verb: 'The engine malfunctioned.'
Not typically in casual chat. People usually say 'broke down', 'stopped working', or 'isn't working'. 'Malfunction' is more common in written reports, news, or technical discussions.