Marginally

Marginally is an adverb used to describe something done to a small degree or only slightly. It can also indicate that something is near a limit or on the edge of a category, suggesting a borderline status. In everyday language, marginally often softens a statement, signaling that the difference or change is not substantial.

Etymology and form: Marginally is derived from the adjective marginal, which comes from Latin marginalis, meaning “of or pertaining to a margin.” The adverb form with the suffix -ly developed in English to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, conveying degree or proximity to a threshold.

Usage and examples: In ordinary speech and writing, one might say a product is marginally cheaper or a result is marginally better, implying a small, sometimes negligible, difference. In statistics, “marginal” describes effects or significance that are on the edge of conventional thresholds, as in marginally significant results. In economics or decision analysis, marginal changes refer to small incremental adjustments, such as marginal cost or marginal utility, with marginally describing the extent of those adjustments. The term is also used to convey cautious or understated evaluations in professional writing.

Notes: While common, marginally can be perceived as hedging; writers choose it to express nuance when the magnitude of a difference matters but is not large. As with related terms, context determines whether the nuance is informative or understated.