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

One study from 2019 found that people report higher levels of progress and satisfaction when hitting a goal that’s a round number—like 10,000—compared to uneven or fractional ones.3 Since then, studies have suggested that walking 10,000 steps a day is associated with better overall health. —Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 14 Aug. 2025

Musicians tokenize song rights, enabling fans to purchase fractional ownership in royalty streams. —Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Use cloud platforms, fractional workforces and on-demand marketplaces to punch above your weight. —David Henkin, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Also, be wary of claims of revolutionizing the market with programs and websites positioning themselves as platforms to buy and sell individual seats or other programs’ jet cards or fractional hours. —The Editors, Robb Report, 27 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fractional

• fractional currency

Rhymes for fractional

• factional
• interactional
• redactional
• transactional

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