marginal

American  

[mahr-juh-nl] / ˈmɑr dʒə nl /

adjective

1. pertaining to a margin.

2. situated on the border or edge.

3. at the outer or lower limits; minimal for requirements; almost insufficient.

   marginal subsistence;

   marginal ability.

4. written or printed in the margin of a page.

   a marginal note.

5. of minor importance, significance, relevance, or effect: Grids using even larger voltages are now being constructed, but will probably make only a marginal improvement in costs.

   Ethics is not a marginal issue, as it is the basis for the movement and progress of society.

   Grids using even larger voltages are now being constructed, but will probably make only a marginal improvement in costs.

6. Sociology.

   1. marked by contact with disparate cultures, and acquiring some but not all the traits or values common to any one of them.

      The “marginal man” is one who is poised in psychological uncertainty between two or more worlds.

   2. isolated from and not fully accepted by the dominant society or culture, and as a consequence, frequently disadvantaged.

      An overarching desire exists to foster social inclusion of all marginal groups, including people with a mental illness.

7. existing outside of the mainstream; unconventional.

   We hope the site is a place to enliven our own sometimes-isolated work in these marginal art forms.

8. Economics.

   1. selling goods at a price that just equals the additional cost of producing the last unit supplied.

   2. of or relating to goods produced and marketed at margin.

      marginal profits.

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marginal British  

/ ˈmɑːdʒɪnəl, ˌmɑːdʒɪˈnælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, in, on, or constituting a margin

2. close to a limit, esp a lower limit

   marginal legal ability

3. not considered central or important; insignificant, minor, small

4. economics relating to goods or services produced and sold at the margin of profitability

   marginal cost

5. politics of or designating a constituency in which elections tend to be won by small margins

   a marginal seat

6. designating agricultural land on the margin of cultivated zones

7. economics relating to a small change in something, such as total cost, revenue, or consumer satisfaction

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noun

1. politics a marginal constituency

Other Word Forms

• intermarginal adjective
• marginality noun
• marginally adverb
• supermarginal adjective
• transmarginal adjective
• unmarginal adjective

Etymology

Origin of marginal

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin marginālis “of or pertaining to an edge”; margin, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Presidents typically carry in on their coattails a bunch of their party’s candidates in marginal seats.

From The Wall Street Journal

South Korea’s technology scene is still dominated by the conglomerates known as chaebols, with startups playing a marginal role.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hospitals operate at minimal capacity when still open, and schools exist only as sporadic or marginal initiatives.

From Barron's

Visibility was "marginal" due to dense fog at the time, the aviation regulator said.

From BBC

China’s selling has been relentless, but its effect on the market is marginal because other countries have made up for the loss of demand.

From Barron's

Related Words

• insignificant
• minimal
• minor
• negligible