fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce fractional (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Through consulting or fractional CMO services, clients can get that without the cost of hiring a C-suite staffer. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 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 The process credits the net benefit ahead of the standard pay date and applies it to each fractional token held by investors. — Malana Vantyler, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 As a result, many organizations have begun exploring fractional marketing leadership. — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fractional

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fractional was in 1650

Phrases Containing fractional

Rhymes for fractional

See All Rhymes for fractional

Browse Nearby Words

fraction
fractional
fractional burial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fractional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractional. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fractional

adjective
frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-shnəl How to pronounce fractional (audio)
-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 How to pronounce fractional (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties
fractional distillation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of conscientious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All