Words / C1

MAHJ-in/ˈmɑːdʒɪn/

A margin is an edge (page, area) or a spare amount: margin of error, profit margin, on the margins. Edge is everyday for the physical sense; difference is wider. Marginal (this batch) is the adjective. Do not round a sample to look neater and call that “within the margin”.

Meaning

The edge of a page or area; also a spare amount (error, profit, votes).

Examples

• “Leave a margin of error in the night count; do not round the n for the press note.”
• “Edge is everyday. A profit margin is money left after costs. A close election is won by a margin of votes. The white space on a page is a margin. A made-up n is not a margin of error.”

Good to know

An edge; also spare difference (error, profit, votes). Everyday (place): edge. Adjective: marginal. Rounding for the press is not a margin.

Near in meaning

edge

New