fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or being a fraction

2

: of, relating to, or being fractional currency

3

: relatively small : inconsiderable

4

: of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties

fractional distillation

fractionally adverb

Examples of fractional in a Sentence

There has been a fractional rise in the price of the stock.

There is only a fractional improvement in the new version.

Recent Examples on the Web

With this partnership, fans can now earn revenue from any of their favorite artists, creators can sell fractional shares of their songs, and rights owners can trade royalty shares. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025

The new rules, first reported by jet card and fractional program buyer’s guide Private Jet Card Comparisons and trade publication Aviation International News, came to light via an alert to members by a business aviation trade group. —Doug Gollan, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

After a much less exhilarating defeat in 2020, and the mass base of the Sanders left reduced to little more than a fractional protest movement, few have sought to reawaken the old battle cry. —Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

But for those looking for a smaller down payment, fractional ownership of vacation properties is also a common type of citizenship by investment scheme. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fractional

• fractional currency

Kids Definition

fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or being a fraction

fractional equivalents of percentages

2

: fairly small

fractionally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al -shən-ᵊl, -shnəl 

: of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties

fractional distillation