marginally

[mahr-juh-nl-ee]

adverb

1. by a minimal, insignificant, or almost insufficient amount.

   This student routinely submits work of substandard or marginally acceptable quality.

   Pork exports in May were marginally higher compared with the previous year.

2. at a barely adequate level.

   The shelter offers shower and laundry facilities for homeless and marginally housed adults.

3. in the margin of a page.

   It is obvious that Jack London read these books, as they are marked, underlined, and marginally annotated.

4. on the border of something.

   On the wings of butterflies, marginally located contrastive markings create false edges, helping to decrease detection by predators.

Other Word Forms

• supermarginally adverb
• transmarginally adverb
• unmarginally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of marginally¹

marginal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

But generally teams have found that the C6 was marginally faster than the C5 at Monaco, but slower at all other races.

From BBC

But what about the full-throated collective cheers that greeted Lagergren's marginally pulled approach that did find the drink on the third and decisive hole of the shootout?

From BBC

Going into the US Open, Sinner had been marginally the more successful player over the past two seasons - even though he missed three months of this year because of a controversial doping case.

From BBC

Worldpanel said that grocery price inflation fell marginally from July to August, but consumers are still trying to make savings due to the high cost of everyday essentials.

From BBC

What kept Los Angeles even marginally vibrant was the steady influx of vigorous immigrants from the East and Midwest.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• kind of 
• lightly 
• somewhat