What does margin mean?
A margin is an edge, boundary, or space surrounding something. The word is especially common for the blank area around text on a page, where readers may write notes or annotations. In mathematics, statistics, and finance, it can mean the difference between two quantities: a margin of error, for example, is the range within which a measured result may differ from the true value. In business, profit margin describes the difference between what a business receives and what it costs to provide a product or service. The term can also mean money added to a price, such as a retailer's margin. Across these uses, margin suggests a boundary, a remainder, or a difference separating one thing from another. Its origin in Latin margo, meaning “edge” or “border,” reflects the spatial sense from which many figurative meanings developed.
The blank space or border around printed or written text; an edge or boundary; a difference between comparable amounts; or money added to a price or sale.
"He added a note in the margin and compared the prices."
The financial senses are common in business, economics, and statistics, where margin often denotes a difference expressed as an amount or percentage.
To form or provide with an edge or border, or to distinguish something by a slight difference.
"The treaty was margined by years of quiet negotiations."
This use is less common than the noun and is especially associated with formal or descriptive writing.
The standard plural of margin, used for page borders, financial differences, and other boundary or allowance senses.
"The publisher increased the margins and reduced the size of the text."
The word margin comes from Latin margo, meaning “edge” or “border,” and still carries the idea of a boundary around something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of margin
The English word margin comes through Old French from Latin margo, marginis, meaning “edge,” “border,” or “boundary.” It was used for the border of a page and for a boundary or limit more generally. The financial and mathematical senses developed from the idea of a difference or allowance between limits.
Related word forms
How margin is actually used
In publishing and document design, margin usually means the blank space surrounding the main text. In finance and commerce, it refers to a difference or percentage, especially between revenue and costs or between a selling price and its cost.
Easily confused with margin
A margin is an edge or boundary, or a difference or allowance; a margin note is a comment written in the space beside a text.