tangentially

Rarely tan·gen·tal·ly

[tan-jen-shuh-lee]

adverb

1. in a way that barely touches or involves someone or something.

   The subject’s tempestuous first marriage is only tangentially dealt with in the biography.

2. in a way that is only slightly related or relevant.

   The novel dedicates a huge amount of space to characters and events that are, at most, tangentially connected to the main plot.

3. in a divergent or digressive way.

   Whether or not this is easier, as I have tangentially mentioned, is in fact a difficult question.

Other Word Forms

• nontangentially adverb
• untangentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangentially¹

tangential ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Secrets abound among the characters whose brief encounter at a New York emergency room sets action across decades in motion: Ivan and Eddie, as well as Cara and Nina, are only tangentially connected.

From Los Angeles Times

We meet spouses and children, some of whom are more enthusiastic than others about being tangentially pulled into the Real Housewives vortex.

From BBC

Many cuts are tied to programs that directly or tangentially promote diversity among researchers or the study of issues that affect racial minorities.

From Los Angeles Times

In these bumpers, the cast of a “Housewives” show line up next to one another and hold up an object that tangentially relates to whatever city the cast lives in.

From Salon

I think the show tangentially touches on that little bit.

From Los Angeles Times