marginal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite at or constituting a border or edge
    fringy.
    • the marginal strip of beach
  2. adjective satellite of questionable or minimal quality
    borderline.
    • borderline grades
    • marginal writing ability
  3. adjective satellite just barely adequate or within a lower limit
    bare.
    • a bare majority
    • a marginal victory
  4. adjective satellite producing at a rate that barely covers production costs
    • marginal industries

WordNet

Mar"gin*al adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. marginal.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a margin.
  2. Written or printed in the margin; as, a marginal note or gloss.

Webster 1913