# fraction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfɹæk.ʃən/ · frequency rank #7,566

## Definitions
1. A part of a whole, especially a comparatively small part.
2. A ratio of two numbers (numerator and denominator), usually written one above the other and separated by a horizontal bar called the vinculum or, alternatively, in sequence on the same line and separated by a solidus (diagonal bar).
3. A component of a mixture, separated by fractionation.
4. In a eucharistic service, the breaking of the host.
5. A small amount.
6. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Middle English fraccioun
English fraction
From Middle English fraccioun (“a breaking”), from Anglo-Norman, Old French fraccion, from Medieval Latin fractio (“a fragment, portion”), from earlier Latin fractio (“a breaking, a breaking into pieces”), from fractus, past participle of frangere (“to break”) (whence English frangible), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (English break). Doublet of frazione.

## Easily confused with
- **function** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fraction-vs-function)
- **friction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fraction-vs-friction)
- **fruition** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fraction-vs-fruition)
- **fractional** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fraction-vs-fractional)
- **fiction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fiction-vs-fraction)
- **faction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/faction-vs-fraction)

## Common misspellings (13)
`farction`, `ffraction`, `fracction`, `fraciton`, `fracsion`, `fractino`, `fractionn`, `fractoin`, `fracttion`, `fratcion`, `frcation`, `frraction`, `rfaction`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fraction