Marginally: meaning, definitions and examples

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marginally

 

[หˆmษ‘หdส’ษชnษ™li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

slightly

To a small extent; slightly.

Synonyms

a little, minimally, moderately, slightly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
marginally

This is best used when describing a very small change or difference, often in statistics or measurements.

  • The profits were marginally higher this quarter.
  • Her temperature was marginally above normal.
slightly

Best in situations that describe small, barely noticeable changes. It is a bit more informal than 'marginally'.

  • Iโ€™m feeling slightly better now.
  • The bookcase is slightly off-balance.
a little

Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate a small amount. Informal but widely understood.

  • Iโ€™m a little tired today.
  • Could you move a little to the left?
minimally

Used to denote the smallest possible degree of change or amount, often in technical or formal contexts.

  • The surgery was minimally invasive.
  • The project was minimally affected by the delay.
moderately

Appropriate when describing a moderate, neither too small nor too large, amount or degree.

  • He was moderately successful in his business ventures.
  • Exercise moderately to maintain good health.

Examples of usage

  • He had only marginally improved since the last time I saw him.
  • The new policy marginally affected the company's profits.
Context #2 | Adverb

almost not

Almost not; almost imperceptibly.

Synonyms

barely, hardly, nearly, scarcely.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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.

  • The patientโ€™s condition has improved marginally after the new treatment.
  • Sales figures have increased marginally this quarter.
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.

  • She barely passed her exam.
  • We barely made it to the airport on time.
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'.

  • There was scarcely enough food for everyone.
  • She could scarcely believe her eyes.
hardly

Used to emphasize something happens very little, almost not at all. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation. Often used in negative statements.

  • I hardly know her.
  • He could hardly keep his eyes open during the meeting.
nearly

Used to express that something very close to happening but doesn't quite happen. Often conveys an approximation. Commonly used in everyday speech.

  • She is nearly finished with her project.
  • They nearly won the game.

Examples of usage

  • The temperature was marginally above freezing.
  • She was marginally taller than her sister.

Translations

Translations of the word "marginally" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น marginalmente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฅเฅ‹เคกเคผเคพ เคธเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช knapp

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sedikit

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะดะฒะต

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nieznacznie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ใšใ‹ใซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lรฉgรจrement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ levemente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท az bir ลŸekilde

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ฝ๊ฐ„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุดูƒู„ ุทููŠู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรญrnฤ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mierne

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็จๅพฎ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nekoliko

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ lรญtiรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะทะดะฐะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒชแƒ˜แƒ แƒ”แƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ az miqdarda

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ levemente

Etymology

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.

See also: marginal, margins.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,032, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.