Marginal Definition & Meaning

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

"Marginal" in song lyrics

See how marginal is used in real songs:

  • "Full comprehension remains marginal"
    Sage Francis — Killing Time
  • "call it the paradox of the marginal"
    AOL — AOL

Usage tips for "marginal"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "marginal" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for marginal to find words that pair well.

Use "marginal" in a verse

Now that you know what "marginal" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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