1mar·gin·al 
/ˈmɑɚʤənl̟/ adjective
/ˈmɑɚʤənl̟/ adjective 1 a : not very important
▪ a marginal problem
b : very slight or small
▪ There has been only a marginal improvement in her condition. 2 : not included in the main part of society or of a group
▪ marginal voters 3 chiefly US : not very good
▪ His reading and writing abilities are marginal. ▪ She's a marginal athlete. ▪ marginal living conditions 4 always used before a noun : written or printed in the margin of a page
▪ marginal notes 5 Brit : able to be won or lost by changing only a few votes
▪ At the next election the opposition parties will try to capture some marginal seats [=marginals] from the government. 6 of land : just able to produce enough crops to pay for the cost of producing those crops
▪ farmers who must eke out a living on marginal land(s)
▪ a marginal problem
b : very slight or small
▪ There has been only a marginal improvement in her condition.
▪ marginal voters
▪ His reading and writing abilities are marginal. ▪ She's a marginal athlete. ▪ marginal living conditions
▪ marginal notes
▪ At the next election the opposition parties will try to capture some marginal seats [=marginals] from the government.
▪ farmers who must eke out a living on marginal land(s)
