marginal

adjective

mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl 

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

ˌmär-jə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

marginally

ˈmärj-nə-lē 

ˈmär-jə-nᵊl-ē

adverb

Synonyms

• borderline
• frontier

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

However, research from economic professors at UC Berkeley and the University of Victoria argues the data from past minimum wage gains hardly affected fast-food chains, helped retain workers and price increases were marginal. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

More than 30 millions others, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, were under marginal and slight risk of experiencing intense storm conditions. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024

General Motors’ Super Cruise in the GMC Sierra and Nissan’s Pro-Pilot Assist with Navi-Link in the Ariya electric vehicle were rated marginal. —Tom Krisher, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024

General Motors' Super Cruise in the GMC Sierra and Nissan's Pro-Pilot Assist with Navi-Link in the Ariya electric vehicle were rated marginal. —Tom Krisher, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024

And despite pressure from Washington, Israel appears to be doubling down on its current short-term approach, planning a major operation in the city of Rafah that would offer only marginal military gains but would exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and further diminish Israel’s reputation. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024

Today, Delorean prices vary widely, with marginal value gains. —Hannah Elliott, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

The game has added importance for the black and yellow club given its marginal one point lead over RB Leipzig in the race for 4th place, and the final UEFA EFA -0.2% Champions League qualifying spot. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

His mom showed only marginal relief at switching languages. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin marginalis, from Latin margin-, margo

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marginal

• marginal utility

Kids Definition

marginal

adjective

mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl 

-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 

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

marginal

adjective

mar·​gin·​al ˈmärj-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or situated at a margin or border

2

: located at the fringe of consciousness

marginal sensations