3 syllables: frac, tion, al. Stress on frac.
FRAK-shuh-nuhl
/ˈfɹækʃənəl/
fractional is pronounced FRAK-shuh-nuhl (/ˈfɹækʃənəl/). It has three syllables (frac-tion-al), with the stress on "frac". Fractional describes something relating to or expressed as a fraction or a portion rather than a whole number. It often conveys partial quantities or portions of a whole in mathematics, measurements, or data, and can imply a non-integer value. In broader usage, it can characterize incomplete or partial aspects of a whole system or set.
Fractional describes something relating to or expressed as a fraction or a portion rather than a whole number. It often conveys partial quantities or portions of a whole in mathematics, measurements, or data, and can imply a non-integer value. In broader usage, it can characterize incomplete or partial aspects of a whole system or set.
- You may misplace the stress by saying frak-tion-al or fra-ction-al. Fix: keep primary stress on FRA and smooth the glide into /ʃən/ without doubling consonants. - The middle syllable often gets compressed too much; avoid /fræk.tjən.əl/ by maintaining /ʃən/ as a single syllable with a gentle schwa before the final /l/. - Final /əl/ can become a dark or heavy -əl; keep it light and quick, almost a syllabic /l/ but with a relaxed jaw. - Common mispronunciation: turning /æ/ into /eɪ/ or /e/ in fast speech. Practice with isolated /æ/ then blend to /ʃən/ smoothly.
"The scientist reported a fractional increase in efficiency, not a full one."
"We measured the vaccine dose in fractional milliliters to ensure accuracy."
"The software shows fractional values for the remaining storage space."
Say FRA CK-tion-al with primary stress on FRA. It’s /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/. Start with an open front vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', then r-controlled /r/ in American and most accents, followed by the unstressed /ə/ in 'tion', and finish with /əl/ as in 'dwell' but lighter. Ensure you don’t turn it into /ˈfræk.tjʊ.əl/ or /ˈfræk.ʃənəl/. IPA guide: /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying fra-CTION-al or frak-tion-uhl), pronouncing /ʃən/ too short as in 'tion' not reduced to a schwa, and overemphasizing the final syllable /-əl/. Correction: keep primary stress on FRA, use /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/ with a clear /æ/ in the first syllable, and reduce the middle syllable to /ən/ with a light /ə/ before the final /l/. Practice by isolating /fræk/ then smoothly connecting to /ʃən/ and /əl/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/ with rhotics and a clear /æ/ in FRA. In many UK varieties, the /r/ is non-rhotic; still /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/ but with a more fronted /æ/ and a softer /əl/. In Australian English, the /æ/ remains, but the /ɪən/ sequence often shifts toward /ən/ or a reduced /ə/, and the final /l/ can be light. The overall rhythm tends to be slightly less clipped in Australia. IPA references: US /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/, UK /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/, AU /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/.
Two main challenges: a) the /æ/ in FRA is a tense open vowel that can be replaced by /e/ or /ɛ/ under rapid speech; b) the /ʃən/ cluster in the middle requires reducing /ə/ in the 'tion' part while maintaining the /ʃ/ grip. You also need to maintain the lightweight /əl/ ending without over-emphasizing it. Focus on the sequence /fræk/ + /ʃən/ + /əl/ with clean transitions.
A distinctive feature is the three-syllable rhythm with primary stress on the first syllable and a noticeable medial /ʃən/ that is reduced. You’ll often hear listeners clip the middle syllable slightly, so you should practice a crisp /ʃ/ onset followed by a light /ən/ and a clear /əl/ ending to preserve clarity even in fast speech.
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- US: maintain rhotic /r/ influence; ensure /æ/ is bright, and /ɹ/ is rounded but not over-emphasized. - UK: non-rhotic rhotic absence; ensure /r/ is not pronounced, and /æ/ remains short and crisp; slightly more tensed lips on /ʃ/. - AU: keep /æ/ similar to US, but vowel height can be a touch higher; final /l/ often light, with less lip rounding. IPA: /ˈfræk.ʃən.əl/ for all three variants, with subtle rhotic differences.
Fractional comes from the late Latin fractio, meaning a breaking or breaking apart, from the verb frangere, to break. The root Latin word fract- is tied to breaking or dividing. The English adjective fractional appeared in the 15th century, originally in mathematical contexts to describe a portion of a whole. Over time, its semantic field expanded to include anything that is part of a whole or not complete. The term shares its lineage with other math-related words like fraction, fragment, and fracture, all of which revolve around the idea of breaking something into pieces. In modern use, fractional often modifies quantities, measurements, or values that are not whole numbers, and in colloquial speech it can describe partial or incomplete aspects of a larger system. The evolution reflects the shift from strict arithmetic to broader descriptive uses in science, statistics, and everyday language, maintaining the core concept of division or partiality. First known uses appear in mathematical treatises and scholastic writings, where fractional parts of quantities were crucial to calculations and proportions. The word has retained its precise mathematical sense while expanding to metaphorical applications in various domains of knowledge.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "fractional" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "fractional" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "fractional"
-ial sounds
-nal sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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