margin Definition
- 1the edge or border of something
- 2an amount by which something is won or falls short
- 3a blank space around the text on a page
Using margin: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "margin" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The margin of the paper was filled with doodles.
Example
He won the race by a narrow margin.
Example
The document had wide margins for notes.
Example
The company operates on a very slim profit margin.
margin Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using margin
Example
She won the election by a wide margin, with twice as many votes as her opponent.
to do something at the last possible moment, with very little time to spare
Example
I cut it fine getting to the airport, and almost missed my flight.
Example
The company is operating on the margin, and any unexpected expenses could put it out of business.
Phrases with margin
the range of values within which the true value is expected to lie, due to errors in measurement or statistical analysis
Example
The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
a demand by a broker that an investor deposit further cash or securities to cover possible losses
Example
The stock market crash triggered a series of margin calls.
Example
The company's profit margin has been steadily increasing over the past year.
Origins of margin
from Latin 'margo', meaning 'edge'
Summary: margin in Brief
The term 'margin' [ˈmɑːdʒɪn] refers to the edge or border of something, such as the blank space around text on a page. It can also mean the amount by which something is won or falls short, as in 'He won the race by a narrow margin.' 'Margin' extends into phrases like 'margin of error,' and idioms like 'by a wide margin,' denoting a large amount, and 'cut it fine,' implying doing something at the last possible moment.
