low-functioning

adjective

Functioning or operating at a low level.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

adjectivelow-functioning (comparative more low-functioning or lower-functioning, superlative most low-functioning or lowest-functioning)

comparative more low-functioning · comparative lower-functioning · superlative most low-functioning · superlative lowest-functioning

  1. Functioning or operating at a low level.
  2. human sciencesOf a person with a developmental or intellectual disability or mental illness, unable to function in society; greatly affected by a disability or illness.
  3. human sciencesOf a person with autism, exhibiting relatively low cognitive function.

Origin

From low + functioning.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

low-functioning. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low-functioning

MLA

“low-functioning.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low-functioning. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “low-functioning,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low-functioning.

Source: low-functioning on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.