WordGarden.iomarginal
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɑːdʒɪnəl/
US
- /ˈmɑrdʒənəl/
Meanings
Adjective
small, slight, or of limited importance
at the edge, border, or margin rather than the center
socially or economically outside the mainstream or in a disadvantaged position
More meaningsFewer meanings
relating to an additional unit or small incremental change, especially in economics
Beyond the definition
Something marginal is at the edge, not at the center. You can picture notes written in the margins of a book. The word often describes something small or limited, like a marginal increase in profits or a marginal improvement in results. It can also describe people or groups who live on the margins of society, meaning they are often left out or given less power.
In politics, a "marginal seat" is one that could change hands with only a small shift in votes. In economics, marginal cost is the extra cost of making one more unit. Across these uses, the word points to something near a limit, small in effect, or outside the main group.
The word marginal describes something at an edge, boundary, or outer limit. It suggests that something is not central, not strong, or only just enough. This idea appears in several common ways.
First, marginal can mean small, slight, or of limited importance. A marginal improvement is one that is real but not very noticeable. If sales rise by only a tiny amount, that is a marginal increase. In this sense, the word often appears when people talk about results, benefits, changes, or differences that are quite small.
Second, marginal can describe people, groups, or communities that are pushed to the edge of society. People who are poor, excluded, or ignored may be described as living on the margins. Here, the word carries a social meaning: it suggests limited voice, limited power, and distance from the center of public life.
Third, the word can describe something that is only barely acceptable or usable. Marginal land, for example, is land that is just good enough to be farmed. A marginal candidate, case, or decision may be one that only just meets the standard. In politics, a marginal seat is won by such a small number of votes that the result could easily change next time.
The word is also linked to the literal margin of a page, the blank space around the main text. That image helps tie the meanings together: whether we are talking about economics, society, politics, or physical space, marginal usually points to something at the edge rather than at the center. It often carries the sense of being limited, secondary, or just barely enough.
Examples
- 1
Policy impact
The new policy made only a marginal difference to most families.
- 2
Sales figures
Sales showed a marginal increase in March.
- 3
Project role
Her role in the project was marginal, so she was not invited to every meeting.
- 4
Business viability
The company decided the product was not worth continuing because the profits were marginal.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Farming land
The farm is on marginal land, where crops grow only in good years.
- Domainmarginal land
land that is only just good enough to use
- 6
Public debate
The report gives space to groups that are usually marginal in public debate.
- Phrasemarginal groups
groups with little power or attention
- 7
Election
The candidate won a marginal seat by fewer than 500 votes.
- Domaina marginal seat
an election area where the result is usually very close
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
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Used with (collocations)
- marginal improvement
- marginal increase
- marginal difference
- marginal impact
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- marginaladjective