'dysfunctional' originates from the prefix 'dys-' meaning 'bad' or 'difficult' and the word 'functional' from Latin 'functionalis', meaning 'pertaining to a function'.

'dysfunctional' was formed by combining 'dys-' with 'functional', a term that evolved from the Latin 'functionalis'.

Initially, it meant 'impaired function', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not operating normally or properly'.