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

Derived Forms

• ˈmarginally, adverb
• marginality, noun

Other Words From

• mar·gin·al·i·ty [mahr-j, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• mar·gin·al·ly adverb
• in·ter·mar·gi·nal adjective
• su·per·mar·gin·al adjective
• trans·mar·gi·nal adjective
• un·mar·gin·al 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

Another, in the UK, shows a more marginal benefit.

From BBC

Fraga noted that Harris could very easily have offset the marginal gains Trump made with Latino voters with small pick-ups in support among white women in states like Georgia.

From Salon

As of Tuesday afternoon, polling averages showed Moreno had taken a marginal lead in the race.

From Salon

"It's just such a marginal difference that pushing people to an automobile loan" is often not in their best interest, said Lipman.

From Salon

That includes higher standard deductions, a lower top marginal tax rate, bigger child tax credits, lower estate taxes and certain deductions tailored for small businesses.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insignificant
• minimal
• minor
• negligible