marginal
0 antonyms and opposites of marginal, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Located at or near an edge or border.
How to use marginal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin marginālis, built from margin plus the adjective suffix -al.
Full origin of marginal →Frequently asked questions
What does “marginal” mean?
The word “marginal” means located at or near an edge or border. In plain terms, small, borderline, or barely significant — or, in politics, a seat that could go either way.
How do you pronounce “marginal”?
“Marginal” is pronounced MAH-jih-nuhl (/ˈmɑɹ.d͡ʒɪ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “marginal” in a sentence?
Here is “marginal” used in a sentence: “Notes were added in marginal comments throughout the manuscript.”
What part of speech is “marginal”?
Depending on how it is used, “marginal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “marginal” come from?
The word “marginal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin marginālis, built from margin plus the adjective suffix -al.
Is “marginal” a common word?
“Marginal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “marginal” have?
“Marginal” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located at or near an edge or border.
What is the difference between marginal and minor?
Marginal specifically suggests something is so small or borderline that it barely counts as significant, often implying it is close to a threshold. Minor simply means small in degree or importance without that same sense of being right at the edge of significance.
What does it mean for a political seat to be marginal?
A marginal seat is a political constituency won by only a small majority, meaning the result could easily change in a future election. Because the outcome is not secure, marginal seats often receive extra attention from political parties and campaigners.
What is the difference between marginal as an adjective and a marginal as a noun?
As an adjective, marginal describes something located at an edge or barely significant, such as a marginal improvement. As a noun, a marginal refers specifically to a political constituency that was won by a small margin, making the seat's outcome uncertain.