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

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

Like the branches, twigs and leaves of a tree, fractals repeat the same patterns across different scales. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025

Snowflakes are an example of this, but fractals can also form tree patterns. —Eva Amsen, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Sherman-Palladino’s fascinations recur in it like fractals, iterating on themes and character types of shows gone by. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Apr. 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