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
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
The plans will see the top marginal income rate raised to 39.6 percent, from the current 37 percent, and the rate on two Medicare surtaxes increased from 3.8 percent to 5 percent for those earning more than $400,000.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
That made the Nova Pro great not only for marginal freezing temps but also in wet flurries or light drizzle.
—Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024
Prices typically get set by costs of the marginal producer/technology.
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Pelosi underscored that close elections have become a normality in recent years as Harris and Trump remain in a razor thin race that promises a marginal win for either candidate.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for marginal 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
That made the Nova Pro great not only for marginal freezing temps but also in wet flurries or light drizzle.
—Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024
Prices typically get set by costs of the marginal producer/technology.
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Pelosi underscored that close elections have become a normality in recent years as Harris and Trump remain in a razor thin race that promises a marginal win for either candidate.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for marginal
Articles Related to marginal
Dictionary Entries Near marginal
Cite this Entry
“Marginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marginal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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