marginal

[mahr-juh-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.

marginal

/ 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

noun

1. politics a marginal constituency

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of marginal¹

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

Example Sentences

November’s elections won’t be a crystal ball for the midterms, but they’ll reveal marginal advantages and disadvantages for the parties going into next year’s elections.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The odds of miscalculation remain, though, and while we see a diminishing marginal impact from further tariff hikes, the prospects of non-tariff escalations represent a notable uncertainty,” he added.

Read more on Barron's

The genre’s marginal roots complicate blanket condemnations, since the same raunchy lyrics often encode critiques of class exclusion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fox News wants to define mass mobilization as marginal.

Read more on Salon

A more moderate trend in home-price appreciation is also allowing for a marginal improvement in affordability conditions.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• insignificant 
• minimal 
• minor 
• negligible