adjective
malfunctioning
adjective
1
Not working correctly; failing to operate as it should.
"The malfunctioning smoke alarm kept beeping for no reason."
"A malfunctioning traffic light caused chaos at the intersection."
How to Use Malfunctioning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a machine, device, or system that has gone wrong and isn't doing its job properly.
Common pairings
malfunctioning equipment
malfunctioning device
malfunctioning system
Word Forms
malfunctionings plural
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The _____ smoke alarm kept beeping for no reason.