tangential
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.
Origin of tangential
1- Rarely tan·gen·tal [tan-jen-tl]. /tænˈdʒɛn tl/.
Other words from tangential
- tan·gen·ti·al·i·ty [tan-jen-tee-al-i-tee], /tænˌdʒɛn tiˈæl ɪ ti/, noun
- tan·gen·tial·ly, adverb
- non·tan·gen·tial, adjective
- un·tan·gen·tial, adjective
Words Nearby tangential
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostThe 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 PostHowever, 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 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 BeastSprinkled 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?
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 | THE DAILY BEASTOnce 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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEASTFour 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. ZerbeHe 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 WaldeyerHe 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 CalinBut if it cannot get free, it is compelled to leave each new tangential direction, as soon as it has taken it.
In this escapement as delineated there is perfect tangential locking.
Watch and Clock Escapements | Anonymous
British Dictionary definitions for tangential
/ (tænˈdʒɛnʃəl) /
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 object: Compare radial (def. 6)
of superficial relevance only; digressive
Derived forms of tangential
- tangentiality, noun
- tangentially 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
Browse