marginal
/ˈmɑːdʒɪnəl/- 1.
Very small in size or importance; making very little difference. Something marginal exists or matters, but only just barely.
- There was only a marginal improvement in her exam results.
- The price difference between the two phones is marginal.
- The team made marginal progress during the first half.
- 2.
Located at or near the edge of something. In academic or political contexts, it describes people or groups outside the main society or system.
- Many marginal communities lack access to clean water.
- The village sits in a marginal region along the border.
- 3.
In economics and academic writing, marginal describes something relating to a small additional unit — for example, the cost of making one more item.
- The marginal cost of producing one extra unit was very low.
- Economists use marginal utility to explain consumer choices.
Adinary Nuance
Marginal is often confused with its near-neighbors negligible, minimal, and peripheral. "Negligible" is stronger — it means so small you can safely ignore it entirely; "marginal" means small but still possibly worth noting. "Minimal" usually describes something deliberately kept as small as possible (like minimal effort), while "marginal" describes something that barely clears a threshold without human intention behind it. "Peripheral" is about physical or social position — on the edges — and overlaps with marginal's second sense, but you wouldn't say "peripheral cost" in economics the way you'd say "marginal cost." In IELTS and academic writing, choosing "marginal" over "slight" signals a more analytical, quantitative tone.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Không đáng kể
- Spanish
- Marginal
- Chinese
- 边缘的
- Japanese
- わずかな
- Korean
- 미미한
Etymology
From Latin "marginalis," meaning "of the margin" or "edge," derived from "margo" (border, edge). The word entered English in the late 16th century, first used to describe notes written in the margins of books, and later expanded to mean "at the edge of importance."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'marginal' and 'negligible'?
- Both mean very small, but 'negligible' is stronger — it means so tiny you can completely ignore it. 'Marginal' means very small but still possibly worth paying attention to. A 'negligible difference' basically means no difference at all; a 'marginal difference' is real but barely matters.
- Is 'marginal' a formal word? Can I use it in IELTS writing?
- Yes, 'marginal' is a formal, academic word and is very appropriate for IELTS Task 1 and Task 2. It is commonly used to describe small changes in graphs and data, for example: 'There was a marginal increase in sales during Q3.'
- What does 'marginal gains' mean?
- 'Marginal gains' refers to a strategy of making many very small improvements that add up to a big overall result. It became popular in sports science and business, associated with the British cycling team's success in the 2010s.
- Can 'marginal' have a negative meaning?
- It can carry a subtle negative tone when describing people or groups, suggesting they are excluded or overlooked — for example, 'marginalised communities.' But in economics and data contexts, it is neutral and simply means 'relating to a small additional unit.'