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
Stepping outside the fractional-ownership model for superyachts, the new Armada Club is instead giving its patrons access to a slew of luxury vessels across the globe.
—
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
With ways to get invested without having to pay today's $5,200 per ounce price, too, from dollar-cost averaging to fractional gold types, you can get started right now and build your gold holdings up over time.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Let’s say you micro-invest $5 each day, whether that’s through spare change and/or fractional shares.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Demand for professional storytellers has roughly doubled in the past year, with many fast-growth businesses hiring fractional consultants to sharpen brand messaging.
—Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fractional
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.
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
With ways to get invested without having to pay today's $5,200 per ounce price, too, from dollar-cost averaging to fractional gold types, you can get started right now and build your gold holdings up over time.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Let’s say you micro-invest $5 each day, whether that’s through spare change and/or fractional shares.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Demand for professional storytellers has roughly doubled in the past year, with many fast-growth businesses hiring fractional consultants to sharpen brand messaging.
—Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fractional
Cite this Entry
“Fractional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractional. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
