marginality

[ mahr-juh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

1. Sociology. the state or condition of being isolated from and not fully accepted by the dominant society or culture, and therefore frequently disadvantaged:

   The marginality of certain groups has specific consequences when it comes to the social impact of any natural disaster.

2. the state or condition of being outside the mainstream or far from the center of activity, attention, etc.:

   The marginality of the location makes it difficult for residents to have easy access to facilities and jobs.

   He had his fans, despite the marginality of his art.

3. the quality or condition of being at the outer or lower limits of adequacy for survival, success, viability, etc.:

   Even if the climate was more benign during the time of the Norse settlements, the marginality of life in Greenland can be appreciated.

4. the quality or state of being of minor importance, relevance, or effect:

   Experts say the terrorist organization’s weaknesses will soon cause it to decay into marginality anyway.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marginality¹

First recorded in 1845–55; marginal ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

"Through her focus on the multifaceted experiences of Dalit women, Paik elucidates the enduring nature of caste discrimination and the forces that perpetuate untouchability and marginality," the Foundation said while announcing this year’s nominees.

From BBC

High visibility and marginality can coexist, he argued.

From New York Times

Nor is marginality the most pressing question for artists today, given the increasingly prominent place Black contemporary artists occupy now, Gaines told me.

From New York Times

“This creates a very high economic marginality, increases the range of poverty and vulnerability in the cities,” Serrano said.

From Los Angeles Times

For all her social marginality, Peggy is the hero here, the most capable character, if only because the challenges she faces, including the ones she sets herself, are more outrageous, dangerous or harder to meet.

From Los Angeles Times