fractal

noun

frac·​tal ˈfrak-tᵊl 

: any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes for which any suitably chosen part is similar in shape to a given larger or smaller part when magnified or reduced to the same size

fractal adjective

Did you know?

This term was coined in 1975 to describe shapes that seem to exist at both the small-scale and large-scale levels in the same natural object. Fractals can be seen in snowflakes, in which the microscopic crystals that make up a flake look much like the flake itself. They can also be seen in tree bark and in broccoli buds. Coastlines often represent fractals as well, being highly uneven at both a large scale and a very small scale. Fractal geometry has been important in many fields, including astronomy, physical chemistry, and fluid mechanics. And even some artists are benefiting, creating beautiful and interesting abstract designs by means of fractals.

Examples of fractal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

McCunn highlights how the multisensory aspects of nature, such as the sounds of birds, as well as the visual complexity and fractal, or repeating, patterns of vegetation, can minimize cognitive load and aid in mindfulness. 2. —Victoria Malloy, Outside Online, 21 July 2025

Many natural structures, including coastlines, clouds, and networks of rivers and blood vessels, apparently have fractal geometries. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2020

Normally, covering an area demands resources that scale in proportion to the square of the dimensions, while in the branching, fractal system, the resources scale linearly. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2017

The math Newberry and his student Jingyi Gao used is based on fractals. —Eva Amsen, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French fractal (adjective), fractale (noun), from Latin frāctus (past participle of frangere "to break, shatter") + French -al -al entry 1, -ale -al entry 2 — more at break entry 1

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fractal

• dactyl
• tactile
• retractile

Kids Definition

fractal

noun

frac·​tal ˈfrak-tᵊl 

: an irregular shape that looks the same at any scale on which it is examined