Meaning of marginal in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈmɑrdʒənl/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   marginal

   Definitions

   1. at or constituting a border or edge

   Examples

   • « the marginal strip of beach »

   Synonyms

   • peripheral
2. 2. of questionable or minimal quality

   Examples

   • « borderline grades »
   • « marginal writing ability »

   Synonyms

   • minimal
   • minimum
3. 3. of a bare living gained by great labor

   Examples

   • « the sharecropper's hardscrabble life »
   • « a marginal existence »

   Synonyms

   • meager
   • meagre
   • meagerly
4. 4. just barely adequate or within a lower limit

   Examples

   • « a bare majority »
   • « a marginal victory »

   Synonyms

   • narrow
5. 5. producing at a rate that barely covers production costs

   Examples

   • « marginal industries »
   • « marginal land »

   Synonyms

   • unprofitable
6. 6. of something or someone close to a lower limit or lower class

   Examples

   • « marginal abilities »

   Synonyms

   • disapproved