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

Tokenization of Assets: By enabling fractional ownership of real estate projects, these platforms reduce the capital barrier, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios. 3. —Reza Esmaeili, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

The platform buys fractional shares of individual stocks in popular indexes, rebalances client portfolios and optimizes for tax-loss harvesting. —Ryan Lawler, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

How are the trends around unionization and greater investment in internal culture, on the one hand, and shorter tenures and more fractional work, on the other, interacting? —Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Work with a financial advisor or fractional CFO to ensure your business aligns with your personal financial goals. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 30 Nov. 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