/ Dictionary / Index F functional imperative: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: func'tional imper'ative Pronunciation: [key] — Sociol. Sociol. a requirement for the survival of any social system, as communication, control of conflict, or socialization. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. functional illiterate functionalism Related Content Daily Word Quiz: stringent Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language