fractional

[ frak-shuh-nl ]

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.

ˈfractional

/ 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 crystallization

   fractional distillation

3. very small or insignificant
4. broken up; fragmented

Derived Forms

• ˈfractionally, adverb

Other Words From

• fraction·al·ly adverb
• sub·fraction·al adjective
• sub·fraction·al·ly adverb
• sub·fraction·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fractional¹

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

Example Sentences

Their total of 119 felt fractionally below par as Mostary and opener Shathi Rani, who made 29, relied on running well between the wickets rather than flurries of boundaries as Scotland's bowlers were impressively disciplined.

From BBC

With fractional investing, you can buy a share of an index fund for only $5.

From Salon

The pair were fractionally outside the podium positions after Friday's technical routine although a score of 264.0282 was less than a point off the Netherlands, who held third place overnight.

From BBC

Richards came fifth in his heat and his time of 48.40 seconds was fractionally inside the slowest qualifying time of 48.41.

From BBC

Many importers and exporters have told me that fractionally, they’ve shifted some of their allocation our way to hedge against any worsening in those three areas.

From Los Angeles Times