tangential

[ tan-jen-shuhl ]

/ tænˈdʒɛn ʃəl /

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See synonyms for tangential on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to or of the nature of a tangent; being or moving in the direction of a tangent.

merely touching; slightly connected: tangential information.

divergent or digressive, as from a subject under consideration: tangential remarks.

tending to digress or to reply to questions obliquely.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Rarely tan·gen·tal

[tan-jen-tl]. /tænˈdʒɛn tl/.

Origin of tangential

First recorded in 1620–30; tangent + -ial

OTHER WORDS FROM tangential

tan·gen·ti·al·i·ty

[tan-jen-tee-al-i-tee], /tænˌdʒɛn tiˈæl ɪ ti/, nountan·gen·tial·ly, adverbnon·tan·gen·tial, adjectiveun·tan·gen·tial, adjective

Words nearby tangential

Tange, tangelo, tangency, tangent, tangent galvanometer, tangential, tangentially, tangential motion, tangent line, tangent plane, tangerine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tangential in a sentence

While the Invitational itself was tangential, at most, to the vacation, it once again reinforced the Invite as a three-decade-old social community.
Style Conversational Week 1500: Loserfestering in Niagara Falls|Pat Myers|August 4, 2022|Washington Post
The rumor about Alfa Bank that never amounted to anything was, at best, tangential.
5 conspiracy theories that remain unproven, despite what you might have heard|Philip Bump|September 27, 2021|Washington Post
However, the decision does affirm the Supreme Court’s recognition of the importance of “vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws in maintaining a competitive economy,” as Rifkin says, which could have some tangential impacts on other cases.
The Ground Shifts Under College Sports|Sean Culligan|June 30, 2021|Ozy
The show is so tangential to their fame now, which exists largely on social media and in their entrepreneurial ventures, that it doesn’t have anything new to say.
‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ Ends Not With a Bang But a Whimper|Jordan Julian|June 11, 2021|The Daily Beast

Sprinkled throughout the film are some tangential insights in the commercial life of a truffle after it’s been plucked out of the ground.
‘The Truffle Hunters’ Will Pique Your Appetite and Push You to Dig a Little Deeper|Elissa Suh|March 5, 2021|Eater
A tangential answer to your question would be, what am I proudest of?
How I Write: Jared Diamond|Noah Charney|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tangential characters are combined into composites or eliminated entirely; the same holds for certain events.
‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 Review: Majesty, Mystery, and Terror Reign Supreme|Jace Lacob|March 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Once again the idea came from a tangential story she came across researching Unbroken.
Laura Hillenbrand's Acclaimed Bestsellers Haven't Changed Her|Sandra McElwaine|December 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“Many view the straw poll as almost tangential to all the happenings of CPAC,” said Republican political consultant Brian Donahue.
The Right Invades Washington|Samuel P. Jacobs, Shushannah Walshe|February 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Four tangential slots (C) are cut into the perimeter of the pulley (B), and in each is a hardened steel roller (D).
Practical Mechanics for Boys|J. S. Zerbe
He was positive there had been another section on top, shooting off at an angle, representing a problem in tangential stress.
The 4-D Doodler|Graph Waldeyer
He ran off tangential to orbit at escape velocity on a pattern that would probably run in a straight path to infinity.
What Need of Man?|Harold Calin
But if it cannot get free, it is compelled to leave each new tangential direction, as soon as it has taken it.
Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XXI., No. 531, March 6, 1886|Various
In this escapement as delineated there is perfect tangential locking.
Watch and Clock Escapements|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for tangential

tangential

/ (tænˈdʒɛnʃəl) /

adjective

of, being, relating to, or in the direction of a tangent

Also: transverse astronomy (of velocity) in a direction perpendicular to the line of sight of a celestial objectCompare radial (def. 6)

of superficial relevance only; digressive

Derived forms of tangential

tangentiality, nountangentially or tangentally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tangential

Origin of tangential

OTHER WORDS FROM tangential

Words nearby tangential

Words related to tangential

How to use tangential in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tangential

Derived forms of tangential