function

/ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/

//ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"function" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“function” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #1,720 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#1,720
frequency rank, English
8
letters
13
tracked misspellings
6
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - What something does or is used for.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

function vs functions
89% similar
function vs functional
80% similar
function vs fiction
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for function
PropertyValue
Headwordfunction
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/
Letters8
Frequency rank#1,720
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs6
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “function” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). function lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for function is 8 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/. Corpus data places it at rank #1,720 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 11 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for function, with forms such as "ffunction", "fnuction", and "fucntion". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 6 confusable-pair relationships, "functions", "functional", "fiction", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”). The correct English form is function, spelled F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    What something does or is used for.
  2. 2
    A professional or official position.
  3. 3
    An official or social occasion.
  4. 4
    An official or social occasion.
  5. 5
    Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.
  6. 6
    A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
  7. 7
    A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.
  8. 8
    A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
  9. 9
    The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
  10. 10
    The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
  11. 11
    The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.

Etymology

From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

This word in other languages

función(Español)fonction(Français)Funktion(Deutsch)função(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ffunction,fnuction,fucntion,funcction,funciton,funcsion,functino,functionn,functoin,functtion,funnction,funtcion,ufnction

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of function - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

ffunction1fnuction2fucntion2funcction1funciton2funcsion1functino2functionn1
Edit distance from "function"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "function"?
"function" is spelled F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/.
What does "function" mean?
As a noun, "function" means: What something does or is used for.
What words are commonly confused with "function"?
"function" is commonly confused with "functions", "functional", "fiction". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "function"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "function" is /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "function"?
From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “function”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “functions” - see the side-by-side comparison. function vs functions
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list