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marginal

mar·gin·al

marginal

 
 
pronunciation:
mar jih nl
features:
Word Combinations (adjective)
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: of, concerning, near, or forming a margin.
The marginal land of the property runs along a stream.
synonyms:
borderline, peripheral
similar words:
liminal
definition 2: written in a margin or margins.
The professor's marginal comments were difficult to decipher.
definition 3: barely above a minimum standard of quality.
The marginal farm land allowed the families a meager existence.Her piano skills are marginal, but her singing voice is quite extraordinary.
synonyms:
minimal, so-so
antonyms:
excellent, formidable, superior, unsurpassed
similar words:
adequate, fifty-fifty, indifferent, mediocre, passable, questionable, tolerable
definition 4: of goods sold or a business, barely profitable; covering costs slightly, if at all.
The hotel business is just marginal here in the winter months, but business picks up in the spring.
synonyms:
adequate, minimal
similar words:
meager, modest, scanty, sufficient
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: marginally (adv.), marginality (n.)