marginal
adjective /ˈmɑːdʒɪnl/
  /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnl/
- small and not important synonym slight
- a marginal improvement in weather conditions
 - The story will only be of marginal interest to our readers.
 - The difference between the two estimates is marginal.
 
 - (economics) (of costs and benefits) relating to or resulting from small changes
- All three companies reported marginal revenue growth.
 
 - not part of a main or important group or situation
- marginal groups in society
 - Welsh was considered a marginal language.
 
 - (especially British English, politics) won or lost by a very small number of votes and therefore very important or interesting as evidence of public opinion
- a marginal seat/constituency
 
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsc1- Their campaign targeted marginal constituencies.
 - They risk losing key marginal seats at the next election.
 
 - [only before noun] written in the margin of a page
- marginal notes/comments
 
 - (of land) that cannot produce enough good crops to make a profit
 
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from medieval Latin marginalis, from margo, margin- ‘edge’.