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

Other Word Forms

• marginally adverb
• marginality noun
• intermarginal adjective
• supermarginal adjective
• transmarginal adjective
• unmarginal 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

Clarets striker Lyle Foster also had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside earlier in the second half, a decision the 24-year-old described as "unfair".

From BBC

A weird story, but one that shouldn’t be dismissed as marginal or inconsequential.

From Salon

At the same time, you have said that you support raising the top marginal tax rate so the policy would not be a giveaway to wealthy Americans.

From Salon

I'll talk to other people, from a different strain in the party, who’ll talk about things like raising the top marginal tax rate.

From Salon

There certainly were academic debates about democracy’s flaws, both practical and theoretical, but Fishkin’s interests seemed marginal to most of them.

From Salon

Related Words

• insignificant 
• minimal 
• minor 
• negligible