In this paper, the dynamic response of a piecewise linear single-degree-of-freedom oscillator with fractional-order derivative is studied. First, a mathematical model of the single-degree-of-freedom system is established, and the approximate steady-state solution associated with the amplitude-frequency equation is obtained based on the averaging method. Then, the amplitude-frequency response equations are used for stability analysis, and the stability condition is founded. To validate the correctness and precision, the approximate solutions determined by the analytical method are compared with the solutions based on the numerical integration method. It is found that the approximate solutions and the numerical solutions are in excellent agreement. Finally, the effects of system parameters, such as fractional-order coefficient, order, clearance, and piecewise stiffness, on the complex dynamical behaviors of the piecewise linear singledegree-of-freedom oscillator are studied. The results show that the system parameters not only influence resonance amplitude and resonance frequency but also affect the size of the unstable region.