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

This fractional blending system blends older and newer whiskeys in a 4,000-gallon oak vat. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Lake had a fractional lead in another poll by Arizona’s Data Orbital. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

And while per-share price once held significance, fractional trading and ETFs have rendered that importance largely obsolete. —Nick Wells, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

Growth decisions should be based on precise financial data, and an experienced fractional CFO can bring this clarity. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 3 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