marginal

adjective

mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl How to pronounce marginal (audio)
ˈmär-jə-nᵊl
1
: written or printed in the margin of a page or sheet
marginal notes
2
a
: of, relating to, or situated at a margin or border
b
: not of central importance
regards violence as a marginal rather than a central problem
also : limited in extent, significance, or stature
had only marginal success with the business
c(1)
: occupying the borderland of a relatively stable territorial or cultural area
marginal tribes
(2)
: characterized by the incorporation of habits and values from two divergent (see divergent sense 1) cultures and by incomplete assimilation (see assimilate entry 1 sense 2a) in either
the marginal cultural habits of new immigrant groups
(3)
: excluded from or existing outside the mainstream of society, a group, or a school of thought
marginal voters
3
: located at the fringe of consciousness
marginal sensations
4
a
: close to the lower limit of qualification, acceptability, or function : barely exceeding the minimum requirements
a semiliterate person of marginal ability
b(1)
: having a character or capacity fitted to yield a supply of goods which when marketed at existing price levels will barely cover the cost of production
marginal land
(2)
: of, relating to, or derived from goods produced and marketed with such result
marginal profits
5
: relating to or being a function of a random variable that is obtained from a function of several random variables by integrating or summing over all possible values of the other variables
a marginal probability function
marginality noun
marginally
ˈmärj-nə-lē How to pronounce marginal (audio)
ˈmär-jə-nᵊl-ē
adverb

Examples of marginal in a Sentence

There has been only a marginal improvement in her condition. His reading and writing abilities are marginal.
Recent Examples on the Web Kings coach Mike Brown’s emphasis on defense has brought about some marginal improvements, but there have been noticeable declines in the team’s shooting and scoring. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 16 Feb. 2024 The first $1,250 in unearned income is tax-free, and the next $1,250 is subject to the lowest marginal tax rate for a single filer of 10%. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024 If the winner opts for the annual installments, a full 37% federal marginal rate would reduce each payment to roughly $11 million. Brian Bushard, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The highest marginal rates, ranging from 10.3% to 13.3%, kick in for single filers with incomes over $350,000 and couples with incomes of nearly $700,000 and higher. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 Veblen goods are products for which demand increases as their price goes up, even though improvements in practical utility are marginal at best. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2024 California recently raised its top marginal tax rate on wage income to 14.4%, the highest in the nation. Daniel Bunn, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024 The marginal federal tax rates range between 10% and 37%, depending on your income. Cortlynn Starkand, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2024 Last Updated: Live Coverage Feed 13 hours ago Ron DeSantis described a single-rate income tax system where high-income households would pay the same marginal tax rate as middle-income families. Richard Rubin, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marginal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin marginalis, from Latin margin-, margo

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marginal was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near marginal

Cite this Entry

“Marginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marginal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

marginal

adjective
mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl How to pronounce marginal (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
1
: written or printed in the margin
marginal notes
2
: of, relating to, or situated at a margin or border
3
: close to the lower limit of quality
marginal ability
marginal land
marginally
-nə-lē How to pronounce marginal (audio)
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

marginal

adjective
mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce marginal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or situated at a margin or border
2
: located at the fringe of consciousness
marginal sensations

More from Merriam-Webster on marginal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!