marginal

1 of 2

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

marginality

2 of 2

noun

mar·​gin·​al·​i·​ty ˌmärjəˈnalətē 

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being marginal

2

: the quality or state of 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

the marginality of the probability function

Synonyms of marginal

Adjective

• frontier

Examples of marginal in a Sentence

Adjective

There has been only a marginal improvement in her condition.

His reading and writing abilities are marginal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The printing press, around 1440 CE, made knowledge reproducible at near-zero marginal cost. — Adam Farren, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Lacking prospect capital and having various needs could nudge the Phillies toward a measured approach that seeks several marginal upgrades. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 July 2026

But if rates stay high for an extended period, more marginal borrowers can be squeezed by interest servicing costs. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 July 2026

The marginal increase continues a three-year trend of lower rate hikes compared to the previous year. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin marginalis, from Latin margin-, margo

First Known Use

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marginal

• marginal utility

Rhymes for marginal

• submarginal

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