Meaning & use

proper fraction

noun·Academic

A fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator, representing a value less than one.

See it in a sentence

Three-fourths is a proper fraction because three is less than four.

The teacher asked students to convert each improper fraction into a proper fraction.

A note on using this word

A proper fraction always has a value between zero and one, unlike an improper fraction, which equals one or more.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “proper fraction”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.