marginal

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 small and not important: a marginal improvement in weather conditions * The story will only be of marginal interest to our readers. * The difference between the two estimates is marginal. 2 not part of a main or important group or situation: marginal groups in society * Welsh was considered a marginal language. 3 (politics) (especially BrE) won or lost by a very small number of votes and therefore very important or interesting politically: a marginal seat / constituency 4 [onlybeforenoun] written in the margin of a page: marginal notes / comments 5 (of land) that cannot produce enough good crops to make a profit noun (BrE) a seat in a parliament, on a local council, etc. that was won by a very small number of votes: a Labour marginal