fractional

American  

[frak-shuh-nl] / ˈfræk ʃə nl /

Also fractionary

adjective

1. pertaining to fractions; comprising a part or the parts of a unit; constituting a fraction.

   fractional numbers.

2. comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant.

   The profit on the deal was fractional.

3. Chemistry. of or noting a process, as distillation, crystallization, or oxidation, by which the component substances of a mixture are separated according to differences in certain of their properties, as boiling point, critical temperature, or solubility.

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fractional British  

/ ˈfrækʃənərI, ˈfrækʃənəl /

adjective

1. relating to, containing, or constituting one or more fractions

2. of or denoting a process in which components of a mixture are separated by exploiting differences in their physical properties, such as boiling points, solubility, etc

   fractional distillation

   fractional crystallization

3. very small or insignificant

4. broken up; fragmented

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Other Word Forms

• fractionally adverb
• subfractional adjective
• subfractionally adverb
• subfractionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of fractional

First recorded in 1665–75; fraction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The utilities sector, by contrast, has had a tougher April, registering only a fractional gain.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Tokenized stocks are traded in Europe and Asia, offering 24/7 trading and fractional ownership, but aren’t yet in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Nobody who bought Standard Oil stock could explain fractional distillation either.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 28, 2025

Patients with asthma showed a median 56% reduction in fractional exhaled nitric oxide, indicating reduced airway inflammation.

From Barron's • Dec. 8, 2025

There was a quiet permission given with that fractional gesture, a permission he hadn’t realized he wanted until he had it.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray