fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-shnəl 

-shə-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

Example Sentences

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

These same platforms often allow for buying fractional shares. —Mia Taylor, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2023

Instead, volumes of the most expensive stock in the US have been artificially inflated by the way brokers like Robinhood report fractional trading. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Aug. 2022

Clients like Revolut, Cash App, MoneyLion and Chipper Cash use DriveWealth’s software to embed fractional stock trading and other investing tools into their own apps and platforms. —Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 7 June 2022

That was the case in 2021 when it was disclosed that China had tested a system known as a fractional orbital bombardment system that could potentially carry a conventional or nuclear warhead anywhere in the world at hypersonic speeds. —Luis Martinez, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2022

If given too deeply, the fractional dose will not be as effective. —Liam Stack, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022

New Crunchbase data shows Black startup founders in the U.S. raised about 1% of all venture capital allocated in 2022, a fractional drop from their 1.3% share in the prior year, TechCrunch reported. —Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2023

His fractional ownership certificate would securely sit in his wallet, waiting to be either liquidated or traded. —Ali Aksu, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

The tape blade even features a fractional scale to make reading and converting your measurements even simpler. —Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

fraction + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fractional

• fractional currency

• 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