形容词

1. （事情）微小的，不重要的
If you describe something as marginal, you mean that it is small or not very important.

2. (人)非主流的，边缘的
If you describe people as marginal, you mean that they are not involved in the main events or developments in society because they are poor or have no power.

3. (席位或选区)边缘的，以相差无几的票数获胜（或失败）的
In political elections, a marginal seat or constituency is one which is usually won or lost by only a few votes, and is therefore of great interest to politicians and journalists.

4. （活动、花费、税项等）边际的，边缘的
Marginal activities, costs, or taxes are not the main part of a business or an economic system, but often make the difference between its success or failure, and are therefore important to control.

5. (土地)贫瘠的
Marginal land is not very good for growing crops or grass for animals.

1. at or constituting a border or edge

e.g. the marginal strip of beach

Synonym: fringy

2. of questionable or minimal quality

e.g. borderline grades
marginal writing ability

Synonym: borderline

3. producing at a rate that barely covers production costs

e.g. marginal industries

4. just barely adequate or within a lower limit

e.g. a bare majority
a marginal victory

Synonym: bare(a)