adj

marginal

MAH-jih-nuhl

adj

Located at or near an edge or border.

"Notes were added in marginal comments throughout the manuscript."

Very small in size or importance; barely significant.

"The new policy had only a marginal effect on sales."

"It was a marginal improvement at best."

Relating to a political seat won by a small majority.

"The party focused its campaign on a handful of marginal seats."

noun

A political constituency won by a small margin.

"Several marginals switched hands in the last election."

How to Use Marginal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSmall, borderline, or barely significant — or, in politics, a seat that could go either way.

Common pairings

marginal cost marginal seat marginal improvement

more marginal comparative, marginals plural, most marginal superlative

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Notes were added in _____ comments throughout the manuscript.

From Medieval Latin marginālis, built from margin plus the adjective suffix -al.

final urinal spinal nominal seminal vaginal retinal criminal cardinal original terminal virginal