malfunction
malfunction — verb
- malfunctionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- malfunctionshe / she / it
- malfunctionedpast simple
- malfunctioning-ing form
1. when a machine, device, or part of the body stops working as it should
when a machine, device, or part of the body stops working as it should
The elevator malfunctioned and left Rachid stuck between floors for over an hour.
intransitive use — no direct object after malfunctioned
The printer malfunctioned before the deadline, so Ishaan had to find another way to print.
Cole's heart monitor malfunctioned during the night, so the nurses missed the warning signal.
The traffic lights malfunctioned at the main crossroads, causing long delays during rush hour.
If your smoke detector malfunctions, replace the batteries or call a technician right away.
- break down
more common in everyday speech; often implies a complete stop rather than a glitch
- fail
broader in meaning; can describe any kind of unsuccessful operation
- crash
specific to computers and software; suggests a sudden, complete stop
- function
neutral opposite meaning 'to work in the correct way'
- work properly
everyday equivalent indicating correct operation
文法句型
machine/device/body part + malfunctions
用法筆記
Subject is usually a machine, electronic device, or part of the body — not a person. Common in technical and medical writing.
常見錯誤
malfunction — noun
- malfunctionsingular
- malfunctionsplural
1. a situation in which a machine, device, or part of the body does not work as it
a situation in which a machine, device, or part of the body does not work as it should
The bank's computer system had a malfunction that delayed all transactions for two hours.
have a malfunction — common verb + noun pattern
Reuben's flight was delayed by a mechanical malfunction in the landing gear.
A minor software malfunction caused the hospital records to be temporarily unavailable.
Sumin heard a strange sound from the washing machine and suspected a malfunction inside it.
The factory was shut down after a serious malfunction was found in the cooling system.
文法句型
have a malfunction
suffer a malfunction
due to a malfunction
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'have', 'suffer', 'experience', or 'cause'. The type of malfunction is usually specified by an adjective (mechanical, software, technical) or a prepositional phrase (in [the system/device]).