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

The Seahawks, boasting the league's best defense, are the marginal favorites.

From Barron's

It can mute important market signals to the extent the Fed becomes a significant marginal buyer of government bonds of varying maturities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even marginal increases in its cost are keenly felt by consumers and tend to provoke strong public resistance - another reason why he's focusing more on overseas markets.

From BBC

Aside from marginal growth seen in October, the index was below the 50 threshold between signaling an improvement and a deterioration in business activity throughout 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal

MCC Laws manager Fraser Stewart said the move comes following considerable time testing the bats in conjunction with manufacturers and any performance advantage from Type D bats will be "marginal at best".

From BBC

Related Words

• insignificant
• minimal
• minor
• negligible