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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.


fractional British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of fractional

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


Vocabulary lists containing fractional

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Not all are fractional owners; both companies offer ways to fly private without ownership.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Other popular treatments include fractional laser resurfacing, which is meant to stimulate collagen production, as well as surgical procedures that remove fat from other parts of the body to inject into the face.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Mosley sold 1,768.25 shares External link —the amount includes fractional shares—for $880.19 apiece, leaving him with a direct holding of 327,517 shares.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Super Micro plans to issue $1.25 billion in new shares and $3.75 billion of depositary shares, which represent fractional interests in the company’s newly-issued convertible preferred stock.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

When the sun reached its zenith and stood still the fractional moment, Nat took his reading.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

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