Marginally Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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marginally
[หmษหdสษชnษli ]
Definitions
slightly
To a small extent; slightly.
Synonyms
a little, minimally, moderately, slightly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| marginally |
This is best used when describing a very small change or difference, often in statistics or measurements.
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| slightly |
Best in situations that describe small, barely noticeable changes. It is a bit more informal than 'marginally'.
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| a little |
Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate a small amount. Informal but widely understood.
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| minimally |
Used to denote the smallest possible degree of change or amount, often in technical or formal contexts.
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| moderately |
Appropriate when describing a moderate, neither too small nor too large, amount or degree.
|
Examples of usage
- He had only marginally improved since the last time I saw him.
- The new policy marginally affected the company's profits.
almost not
Almost not; almost imperceptibly.
Synonyms
barely, hardly, nearly, scarcely.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| marginally |
Used to describe something that is just enough to make a difference, usually in a small or slight way. Often used in formal writing or to describe quantitative measures.
|
| barely |
Used to indicate that something is almost not enough but still occurs. Often carries a sense of narrowly avoiding failure or insufficiency. Commonly used in everyday speech.
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| scarcely |
Used to indicate something happens only by a small margin or to a very slight degree. Often has a formal tone and a slightly negative implication, similar to 'hardly'.
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| hardly |
Used to emphasize something happens very little, almost not at all. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation. Often used in negative statements.
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| nearly |
Used to express that something very close to happening but doesn't quite happen. Often conveys an approximation. Commonly used in everyday speech.
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Examples of usage
- The temperature was marginally above freezing.
- She was marginally taller than her sister.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'marginally'
The word 'marginally' originated from the word 'marginal,' which comes from the Late Latin 'marginalis,' meaning 'bordering.' The adverb 'marginally' evolved to indicate something happening to a small extent or almost imperceptibly. The term has been used in English language since the 19th century.