fraction
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a very small part or amount of something.
n.a small or tiny portion of a larger whole.
Simple“The new machine uses only a fraction of the energy that the old one did.”
In context“The company managed to reduce its carbon emissions to a mere fraction of their previous levels within a single fiscal year.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a number that results from dividing one whole number by another, like 1/2 or 3/4.
n.a numerical representation of a part of a whole, consisting of a numerator and a denominator.
Simple“The teacher asked the students to convert the fraction into a decimal.”
In context“In advanced algebra, students must learn to manipulate complex fractions where both the numerator and denominator contain variables.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.one part of a mixture that has been separated from the rest.
n.a distinct component of a mixture separated through a process such as distillation or fractionation.
Simple“Gasoline is just one fraction obtained from refining crude oil.”
In context“The laboratory technician isolated the volatile fraction of the essential oil using steam distillation to ensure the purity of the sample.”
UsageOften used in the context of oil refining or laboratory separation.
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to break or divide something into smaller parts.
v.to divide or separate a substance or quantity into its constituent parts.
Simple“The mixture must be fractioned carefully to keep the chemicals pure.”
In context“The crude oil is fractioned in large towers where different temperatures allow various gases and liquids to be collected separately.”
Usage fraction of a second · fraction of the total · fraction of
“Some studies hypothesized that millicharged particles also make up a small fraction of dark matter in the universe.”
“Food and liquid must move from the mouth to the stomach while the airway closes in a fraction of a second to keep material out of the lungs.”