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

With Schwab, teens can trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and fractional shares. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 13 May 2026

This is the first time this approach, formally called profile-likelihood analysis, has been applied to fractional dark matter–proton scattering from CMB data. —Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

Benefits and protections need to become more portable, Paula Gorman, a fractional operations leader and founder of The Consultants Room, said to the outlet. —Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 4 May 2026

Lemon is founder of Intent Energy, is fractional executive director for the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors and a board member for Ever-Green Energy and the Star Tribune Media Holding Co. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026

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