margins
|mar-gins|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɑːrdʒɪnz/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɑːdʒɪnz/
(margin)
edge or border
Etymology
'margin' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'marge', where 'marge' meant 'edge' or 'border'.
'margin' changed from Old French 'marge' into Middle English forms such as 'margine' or 'margyn' and eventually became the modern English word 'margin'.
Initially, it meant 'edge' or 'border', but over time it broadened to include 'blank space around text', 'amount of difference (e.g., margin of victory)', and financial senses like 'profit' or 'required collateral'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the outer edge or border of something.
The margins of the page were filled with handwritten notes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the blank space around the printed area of a page.
Please leave 1-inch margins on all sides of the document.
Synonyms
Noun 3
the amount by which revenue from sales exceeds costs; profit level (often expressed as a percentage).
The company's margins improved significantly this quarter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 4
the amount or degree by which one thing differs from another; e.g., margin of victory or error.
They won the election by narrow margins.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 5
in finance/trading, the collateral required to cover credit risk when borrowing to buy securities (margin requirements).
Traders must monitor their margins to avoid forced liquidation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/15 08:14