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

The fractional model makes that possible without committing to a full-time executive salary and infrastructure. — Loran Armstrong, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Tokenized equities and funds change that arithmetic, making fractional ownership viable at the cost of a phone top-up and cutting transaction costs by more than 30%. — Michael Faulkender, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026

Our methodology To determine the best micro-investing apps, CNBC Select compared platforms that let users invest with little to no money upfront, whether through round-ups, fractional shares or low account minimums. — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 19 Aug. 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