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Meaning & use

margin

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈmɑːdʒɪn/
US/ˈmɑːrdʒɪn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    The empty space between the edge of a page and the written or printed text.

    Grammar: Countable: use 'a margin', 'the margin', or 'margins'.

    Patterns

    • in the margin
    • leave a margin
    • the left/right margin

    She wrote a note in the margin next to the paragraph.

    Leave a wide margin on the left so the pages can be bound.

    The teacher circled the spelling mistakes in the margin.

  2. nouncountable

    The amount by which one thing is larger or smaller than another, especially in scores, votes, or profit.

    Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'by a margin of' or 'by a narrow margin'.

    Patterns

    • by a margin of
    • by a narrow/wide margin
    • win/lose by a margin

    The bill passed by a margin of only three votes.

    They won the game by a narrow margin of two points.

    Our profit margin increased after we cut production costs.

  3. nouncountable

    An extra amount of time, money, or space kept in case it is needed.

    Grammar: Often used with 'of' plus an amount, e.g. 'a margin of safety'.

    Patterns

    • a margin of safety
    • a margin for error
    • allow a margin

    Always keep a margin of safety when you set the load limit.

    We arrived early to allow a margin for delays.

    The budget includes a small margin for unexpected costs.

Word forms

pluralmargins

Common combinations

by a narrow margin
The team won by a narrow margin.
profit margin
The company's profit margin fell last year.
margin of error
The poll has a margin of error of three percent.
in the margin
He scribbled a question in the margin.
leave a margin
Leave a margin at the top of the page.

Synonyms and how they differ

edge
Refers to the outer line or border of an object; 'margin' is specifically the blank space near the edge of a page or the difference between amounts.
gap
A general word for a space or difference; 'margin' is more precise and often used in official or financial contexts.
leeway
Means extra freedom or flexibility; 'margin' often means a fixed extra amount kept for safety.

Word family

marginal adjective
Small in importance or amount; also written in the margin.
marginally adverb
To a small degree; slightly.
marginalize verb
To treat a person or group as unimportant.

Commonly confused: margin or margarine?

margin vs margarine

A yellow spread used instead of butter. It sounds similar to 'margin' but is a completely different word.

Practice

The home team won the match by a narrow ______ of one goal.

Make it your own

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