Words / C1

MAHJ-inl/ˈmɑːdʒɪnl/

Marginal means small and not central, or relating to an edge / a close result: a marginal improvement, a marginal seat. Slight and minor are everyday; margin (this batch) is the noun. Do not call a fire-cover gap marginal because the poster looked fine.

Meaning

Small and not central; also at an edge, or won by a tiny amount.

Examples

• “A marginal gain in the slogan is not a staffed fire door.”
• “Slight is everyday. Peripheral is a cousin. A marginal constituency is won by a handful of votes. Central and core sit opposite. Safety staffing is not a marginal item.”

Good to know

Slight / on the edge; not the main thing. Everyday: slight / minor. Noun: margin. A fire door is not a marginal extra.

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