A fractionof something is a tiny amount or proportion of it.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. [+ of]
Here's how to eat like the stars, at a fraction of the cost.
I opened my eyes just a fraction.
Synonyms: bit, little bit, mite, jot More Synonyms of fraction
2. countable noun
A fraction is a number that can be expressed as a proportion of two whole numbers. For example, ½ and ¾ are both fractions.
The students had a grasp of decimals, percentages and fractions.
More Synonyms of fraction
fraction in British English
(ˈfrækʃən)
noun
1. mathematics
a.
a ratio of two expressions or numbers other than zero
b.
any rational number that is not an integer
2.
any part or subdivision
a substantial fraction of the nation
3.
a small piece; fragment
4. chemistry
a component of a mixture separated by a fractional process, such as fractional distillation
5. Christianity
the formal breaking of the bread in Communion
6.
the act of breaking
verb
7. (transitive)
to divide
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin fractiō a breaking into pieces, from Latin fractus broken, from frangere to break
fraction in American English
(ˈfrækʃən)
noun
1.
a breaking or dividing, specif., of the Host in the Mass
2.
a.
a small part broken off; fragment; scrap
b.
a small part, amount, degree, etc.; portion
3. Chemistry
a part separated by fractional crystallization, distillation, etc.
4. Ancient Mathematics
a.
an indicated quotient of two whole numbers, as 13⁄4, 2⁄5
see also rational (sense 4) rational (sense 4a)
b.
any quantity expressed in terms of a numerator and denominator, as x/y
verb transitive
5.
to separate into fractions
Word origin
ME < L fractio, a breaking < pp. of frangere, break
Examples of 'fraction' in a sentence
fraction
With five of them, there would be only a fraction of a chance at best.
Mark Burnell CHAMELEON (2002)
He wondered how much she had charged seventeen years ago, knowing it must be a fraction of what she was asking.
Stuart Harrison LOST SUMMER (2002)
He saw the handle of Melissa's door rotate, the door opening the barest fraction.
Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2002)
This time the lashes touched for a fraction longer, suggesting a softening, a form of encouragement.
McKewan, Ian THE INNOCENT (2002)
In other languages
fraction
British English: fraction NOUN
A fraction of something is a tiny amount or proportion of it.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding.
American English: fraction
Brazilian Portuguese: fração
Chinese: 少量
European Spanish: fracción
French: fraction
German: Bruchteil
Italian: frazione
Japanese: ほんの少し
Korean: 일부
European Portuguese: fração
Latin American Spanish: fracción
All related terms of 'fraction'
mole fraction
the ratio of the number of moles of one constituent of a mixture or solution to the total number of moles of all the constituents
common fraction
a fraction whose numerator and denominator are both whole numbers
proper fraction
a fraction in which the numerator has a lower absolute value than the denominator , as 1 ⁄ 2 or x /(3 + x 2 )
simple fraction
a fraction in which the numerator and denominator are both integers expressed as a ratio rather than a decimal
vulgar fraction
→ common fraction
branching fraction
(in branching ) the proportion of the disintegrating nuclei that follow a particular branch to the total number of disintegrating nuclides
complex fraction
a fraction in which the numerator or denominator or both contain fractions
compound fraction
→ complex fraction
continued fraction
a number plus a fraction whose denominator contains a number and a fraction whose denominator contains a number and a fraction, and so on
cracked fraction
A cracked fraction is a petroleum fraction (= a portion separated according to a physical property) that has been broken down from a fraction with larger molecules .
decimal fraction
a fraction that has a denominator of a power of ten , the power depending on or deciding the decimal place. It is indicated by a decimal point to the left of the numerator , the denominator being omitted . Zeros are inserted between the point and the numerator, if necessary , to obtain the correct decimal place
improper fraction
a fraction in which the numerator has a greater absolute value or degree than the denominator , as 7 ⁄ 6 or ( x 2 + 3)/( x + 1)
packing fraction
a measure of the stability of a nucleus , equal to the difference between its mass in amu and its mass number, divided by the mass number
partial fraction
one of a set of fractions into which a more complicated fraction can be resolved
crude oil fraction
A crude oil fraction is a component of crude oil, which has its own particular molecular composition , weight, and boiling point.
decimal
A decimal system involves counting in units of ten.
Chinese translation of 'fraction'
fraction
(ˈfrækʃən)
n(c)
(= portion) 小部分 (xiǎo bùfen)
(Math) 分数(數) (fēnshù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a very small proportion or amount of something
I opened my eyes a fraction.
Synonyms
bit
All it required was a bit of work.
little bit
mite
jot
It doesn't affect my judgement one jot.
tiny amount
iota
Our credit standards have not changed one iota.
scintilla
2 (noun)
Definition
a numerical quantity that is not a whole number
only a small fraction of the cost
Synonyms
percentage
share
I have had more than my share of adventures.
cut (informal)
The lawyers, of course, will take their cut of the profits.
division
Each was divided into several divisions.
section
proportion
A proportion of the rent is met by the city council.
slice
water flavoured with a slice of lemon
ratio
The adult to child ratio is 1 to 6.
portion
his portion of the inheritance
quota
The quota of four tickets per person had been reduced to two.
subdivision
moiety
3 (noun)
Definition
any part or subdivision
You will find only a fraction of the collection on display.
Synonyms
fragment
She read everything, digesting every fragment of news.
part
A large part of his earnings went on repaying the bank loan.
piece
a piece of wood
Another piece of cake?
section
a geological section of a rock
sector
Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
selection
segment
the poorer segments of society
4 (noun)
Synonyms
fragment
bite
drop
chip
His eyes gleamed like chips of blue glass.
scrap
a fire fuelled by scraps of wood
grain
a grain of sand
particle
Particles of food can get stuck between the teeth.
atom
one carbon atom attached to four hydrogens
shred
There is not a shred of truth in this story.
flake
crumb
I stood up, brushing crumbs from my trousers.
splinter
a splinter in the finger
jot
sliver
A sliver of glass was embedded in the skin.
shard
shards of glass flying through the air
morsel
a delicious little morsel of meat
granule
granules of coarse-grain sea salt
mote
Dust motes swirled in the sunlight.
whit
It does not make one whit of difference what we do.
iota
smithereen (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of atom
Definition
a very small amount
one carbon atom attached to four hydrogens
Synonyms
particle,
bit,
spot,
trace,
scrap,
molecule,
grain,
dot,
fragment,
fraction,
shred,
crumb,
mite,
jot,
speck,
morsel,
mote,
whit,
tittle,
iota,
scintilla (rare)
in the sense of chip
Definition
a small piece removed by chopping, cutting, or breaking