Word
fraction
Phoneticsfrac·tion, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹækʃən/
UK/fɹˈækʃən/
Definitions
01a small part
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a very small part or amount of something.
n. a small or tiny portion of a larger whole.
“The new machine uses only a fraction of the energy that the old one did.”
“The company managed to reduce its carbon emissions to a mere fraction of their previous levels within a single fiscal year.”
02mathematics
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Mathematics
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.
“The teacher asked the students to convert the fraction into a decimal.”
“In advanced algebra, students must learn to manipulate complex fractions where both the numerator and denominator contain variables.”
Antonyms
03chemistry
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
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.
“Gasoline is just one fraction obtained from refining crude oil.”
“The laboratory technician isolated the volatile fraction of the essential oil using steam distillation to ensure the purity of the sample.”
Synonyms
04to separate
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical · Formal
v. to break or divide something into smaller parts.
v. to divide or separate a substance or quantity into its constituent parts.
“The mixture must be fractioned carefully to keep the chemicals pure.”
“The crude oil is fractioned in large towers where different temperatures allow various gases and liquids to be collected separately.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fraction” in context.
Adjective
01. small fraction
“Only a small fraction of the students managed to pass the advanced exam.”
adj + noun
02. tiny fraction
“The company donates a tiny fraction of its annual profits to local charities.”
adj + noun
Noun
03. fraction of
“The new model costs only a fraction of the price of the original version.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the whole from which the part is taken.
Real-World Examples
“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.” “In the most extreme cases, the fraction exceeded 90%, meaning that nearly all cloud-to-ground lightning was positively charged.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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