marginal
/ˈmɑːdʒɪnl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmärj-nəl ˈmär-jə-nᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɑː.dʒɪ.nəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl/ (ame, ipa)
marginal — adjective
- marginalpositive
- more marginalcomparative
- most marginalsuperlative
1. so small in amount, degree, or effect that it barely matters or makes very littl
so small in amount, degree, or effect that it barely matters or makes very little noticeable difference.
The cost difference between the two plans was marginal — less than five dollars a month.
predicative: marginal difference / marginal cost
After two weeks of treatment, only a marginal improvement appeared in Yuki’s condition.
attributive: marginal improvement
The company reported marginal profit growth of just 0.4 percent this quarter.
A marginal increase in temperature was enough to melt the thin layer of ice.
- slight
similar meaning but neutral in tone; a slight improvement is still noticeable
- negligible
stronger than marginal; something so small it can be ignored or has no practical effect
- minimal
focuses on the smallest possible amount, often by intention (minimal waste, minimal effort)
- insignificant
carries a judgment of unimportance that goes beyond size alone
- substantial
large in amount, degree, or effect
- significant
large enough to be noticed and matter
文法句型
marginal + noun
be + marginal
用法筆記
Frequently appears with nouns denoting measurable quantities (“difference”, “improvement”, “increase”, “change”). Distinguish from sense 6 (barely profitable), where the focus is on financial adequacy rather than size.
常見錯誤
2. appealing to a very small audience and therefore existing outside the central co
appealing to a very small audience and therefore existing outside the central concerns or mainstream of a society or field.
The documentary about traditional folk pottery covered a topic so marginal that fewer than two hundred people watched it online.
attributive: marginal topic / marginal interest
Kemi published her research in a marginal journal with only a few hundred readers.
The band’s music appeals to a marginal audience and never reaches the mainstream charts.
This issue is marginal to the main debate and should not distract the committee.
- niche
more modern and neutral; a niche interest is simply narrow, not necessarily unimportant
- peripheral
more formal; suggests something is at the edge of a field or discussion
- fringe
often carries a stronger connotation of being outside the mainstream or unusual
- mainstream
accepted or followed by most people
- central
of primary importance or relevance
文法句型
marginal + noun
be + marginal + to + noun
用法筆記
Often paired with “to” (be marginal to something) to indicate peripheral relevance. Can carry a slightly dismissive tone — calling a topic marginal suggests it does not deserve wide attention.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the idea that many small, separate improvements in different areas c
relating to the idea that many small, separate improvements in different areas can together produce a large overall result over time.
The cycling team focused on marginal gains such as better tires and lighter helmets.
phrase: marginal gains — small improvements that add up
By making marginal gains in every department, the factory doubled its output in two years.
By applying marginal gains to his daily study, Leo raised his grade through short daily review sessions.
Even a one-percent marginal gain can make a real difference in a long race.
- incremental
describes regular, step-by-step increases; less specific to the “add up over time” concept
- cumulative
focuses on the total effect of additions, but not necessarily small ones
文法句型
marginal gain(s) / marginal improvement(s)
用法筆記
Popularized in British sports by cycling coach Sir Dave Braidford. The phrase “marginal gains” is a fixed expression and commonly appears in business and self-improvement contexts as well.
4. relating to a parliamentary constituency where the leading parties each enjoy ne
relating to a parliamentary constituency where the leading parties each enjoy nearly equal backing from voters, so the outcome hinges on a tiny shift in votes.
The MP campaigned hard to keep her marginal seat in the general election.
collocation: marginal seat / marginal constituency
Both parties spent heavily on advertising in the marginal constituencies of the Midlands.
A marginal ward can change hands with a swing of just a few hundred votes.
The latest poll showed that three marginal seats could decide the next government.
- swing seat
the equivalent US term; also used in British English but less formal
- battleground seat
US term; emphasizes the competitive nature of the seat
- safe seat
a seat where one party has a large and stable majority
文法句型
marginal seat / marginal constituency / marginal ward
用法筆記
Primarily used in British politics. In the US the equivalent term is “swing seat” or “battleground district.” The noun form “marginal” (sense 1 under noun) can be used to refer to the seat itself.
常見錯誤
5. placed in the empty area beside the main body of text on a page, typically as a
placed in the empty area beside the main body of text on a page, typically as a comment or correction.
The professor’s marginal notes helped Yael understand the difficult passage.
attributive: marginal notes / marginal comments
Élise wrote marginal comments beside every paragraph of the long essay.
The old textbook contained marginal illustrations drawn by a former student.
Marginal annotations pointed out the most common grammar mistakes in the chapter.
文法句型
marginal note(s) / marginal comment(s)
用法筆記
The only sense that refers to the literal edge of a page. All other senses are figurative extensions of the “edge” or “borderline” idea.
6. (of a business, farm, or activity) producing such a low income that it barely co
(of a business, farm, or activity) producing such a low income that it barely covers the costs involved, leaving almost no profit.
Farmers abandoned the marginal land because it could not produce enough crops.
collocation: marginal land — barely fertile enough
The restaurant operated at a marginal profit and struggled to pay its staff on time.
Planting wheat on marginal soil requires more fertilizer than the harvest is worth.
The factory was marginal for years before new management finally turned it around.
- break-even
describes a situation where income exactly equals costs; marginal is slightly above break-even
- unprofitable
stronger; means the activity loses money rather than barely making any
- profitable
producing enough income to make a clear gain
- viable
capable of being sustained financially
文法句型
marginal land / marginal profit / be + marginal
用法筆記
Common in agriculture (marginal land = land of poor fertility) and business (marginal profit = profit so thin that a small cost increase creates a loss). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on financial viability, not numerical size.
常見錯誤
marginal — noun
- marginalsingular
- marginalsplural
1. a parliamentary constituency or seat where the result is likely to be decided by
a parliamentary constituency or seat where the result is likely to be decided by a very small number of votes because the main parties have almost equal support.
The party targeted ten marginals in the north of England for an extra fifty thousand pounds in local funding.
noun use: marginal — a seat with a narrow majority
Lara won the marginal by just forty-two votes in the local election.
The Labour government’s slim majority of twelve depends on keeping all its marginals in the next general election.
Both candidates visited the marginal twice during the final week, holding town-hall meetings to win over undecided voters.
- swing seat
the equivalent US term; more widely understood internationally
- battleground seat
US term emphasizing competitive campaigning
- safe seat
a seat where one party has a comfortable and stable majority
文法句型
a marginal / the marginal / marginals (plural)
用法筆記
Always used in the context of British or Commonwealth politics. The plural “marginals” is common in news reporting. In US English the equivalent is “swing seat” or “battleground district.”