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

"Many farm businesses are marginal or loss-making, yet will soon be hit with unaffordable inheritance tax bills, which in many cases will dwarf their annual profit," he explained.

From BBC

That “left her in a marginal, isolated position because people always tend to, you know, negotiations, transactions, compromises and she was just ‘no compromise.’

From The Wall Street Journal

For years, Australia reassured itself that antisemitism is marginal—an imported pathology or an online nuisance safely removed from everyday life.

From The Wall Street Journal

But a stable, credible, decentralized governance framework is more important than any marginal influence we might surrender.

From The Wall Street Journal

All eyes will be on the announcement on Saturday of where teams will be playing their games - with any marginal advantages welcome.

From BBC

Related Words

• insignificant
• minimal
• minor
• negligible