Fractional
/ˈfrækʃənəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or consisting of a part of a whole; expressed or existing as a fraction.
/ˈfrækʃənəl/
Relating to or being a fraction or fractions.
The recipe called for a fractional amount of sugar, just a pinch.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a pizza, and someone eats only a slice. That slice is a *fractional* part of the whole pizza. It's not the entire thing, just a piece!
👶 For kids: Something that is part of a whole thing, like a slice of a pizza.
More Examples
We only experienced a fractional increase in sales this quarter.
The device measures fractional parts of a second.
How It's Used
"A fractional value can be expressed as a ratio of two integers."
"Fractional shares allow investors to own part of a share of a company."
Very small; constituting a part, not the whole.
/ˈfrækʃənəl/
Small or insignificant.
The impact of the new policy was only fractional.
💡 Simply: It's like a tiny, almost unnoticeable amount. Imagine getting just a *fractional* amount of a prize - not much!
👶 For kids: Very, very small.
More Examples
There was a fractional delay in the flight's departure.
He felt a fractional improvement in his condition after the medication.
How It's Used
"The company showed a fractional increase in its revenue."
Idioms & expressions
fractional ownership
The practice of owning a portion of something, often an expensive asset like a plane or vacation home, along with other people.
"Fractional ownership of private jets allows businesses to enjoy the benefits of flying without the full cost of ownership."
From Latin *fractionalis*, from *fractio* ('a breaking' or 'a fraction'), derived from *frangere* ('to break'). It entered English in the 16th century.
Historically, the word has been used in mathematical and scientific contexts to describe parts of a whole. It gained broader usage with the rise of financial concepts and fractional ownership models.
Memory tip
Think of breaking a whole into smaller parts; a fraction is just one part of that break.