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

Flexjet reported that flying by its fractional owners is now 20 percent higher year over year. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025

Consider starting small with fractional ownership or dollar-cost averaging to build your position gradually rather than trying to time the market perfectly. —Aly J Yale, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

In the first seven days of November, Flexjet's fractional ownership and jet-leasing business posted a 42% increase in revenue hours over the same period last year, compared with an increase of about 20% so far this year, the company said. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025

Additionally, the study shows that the fractional impedance serves as a practical diagnostic tool for identifying diffusive behavior and refining device operational parameters, according to a press release. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 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