Marginal

Relating to or situated at the edge or margin; minimal; not of central importance. Often used to describe something that is only slightly important, successful, or profitable. It can also refer to small or barely sufficient quantities. In economics, it frequently concerns additional units of a product or service. It can signify something that is on the cusp of acceptability or is barely viable. It implies a degree of precariousness, indicating a potential for decline or failure if conditions change, often with little impact.

Marginal meaning with examples

• The company's profits were only marginal this quarter, barely exceeding their operating costs. A slight downturn in sales could lead to losses. Despite the best efforts of marketing, the product's success remained fragile, requiring a boost in sales and customer engagement to achieve a more secure position in the market to be sustainable.
• The impact of the new policy was marginal at best, providing a minor change. Improvements to the infrastructure were negligible, with minimal impact on productivity or efficiency in the workplace. These were small and didn't result in enough impact. The benefits from the government's investment seemed to be very small to be seen.
• The athlete only had a marginal advantage over his rivals due to his new equipment. The difference in performance was so little. The race was very tight. Success hinged on minimal differences in form or strategy. It all came down to very minute degrees.
• The study showed a marginal improvement in patient outcomes after the experimental treatment. While the results were positive, they were barely noticeable and were only on the edges. The change required careful attention, as the overall effects were less pronounced than expected, creating room for concern.
• The politician had a marginal lead in the election polls, leaving the final outcome uncertain. Her victory rested on very few votes, with the political climate always changing. The outcome hinged on an unprecedented turnout. The race was very close, and it was too close to call.