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View synonyms for

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. politics a marginal constituency

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • marginality noun
  • marginally adverb
  • intermarginal adjective
  • supermarginal adjective
  • transmarginal adjective
  • unmarginal adjective
  • ˈԲ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of marginal1

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin “of or pertaining to an edge”; margin, -al 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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

From

Those Black folks who switched over to Trump were a marginal but key part of his victory.

From

The aesthetics of this cinema reflect the often marginal backgrounds of its makers - many are self-taught and outside traditional power circles.

From

“Comparing YouTube to talk radio is also a useful reminder of how potent a medium can become while still appearing marginal to those who don’t care for it or know much about it,” Herrman added.

From

"In some sense you could say they basically took the status quo, made marginal changes and called it a deal."

From

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margin accountmarginal cost