tangential Hear it!

tangential Definition

tan·gen·tial (tan jens̸həl)

adjective

  1. of, like, or in the direction of a tangent
  2. drawn as a tangent
  3. going off at a tangent; diverging or digressing
  4. merely touching a subject, not dealing with it at length

tangential Related Forms

tan·gen·tially adverb

tangential Synonyms

tangential

modif.

digressing, diverging, divergent, digressive, unrelated, extraneous.

tangential Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • velocity: The part of a star's total velocity that is perpendicular to the line of sight is called the tangential velocity.
  • load: Direct forces in a frame due to concentrated tangential loads.
  • force: Within the accuracy of these data, tangential forces due to surface friction may be neglected at all incidences.
  • component: In other words, the tangential component of the velocity at the boundary must be zero.
  • interest: In the meantime, the links below may be of tangential interest on some specific areas.
  • relationship: His paintings have a roundabout, tangential relationship to the things that inspire them.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: Refer to the W3C documents for more about this, as it's somewhat tangential to the present topic.
  • slightly: The core of the argument lies in Chapters 2 and 4, with Chapter 3 as an interesting, but slightly tangential addition.
  • not: The vision would be from within, frontal not tangential.
  • purely: Students must be careful not to include irrelevant or purely tangential material.
  • too: If it is too tangential, no doubt you will rule me out of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Used with adjective complement

seem: Thus, of the three remaining clusters, one -- cognitive neuroscience -- seems quite tangential here.

Browse dictionary entries near tangential

  1. tangent
  2. tangelo
  3. Tanganyika
  4. tang
  5. Taney
  6. tandoori
  7. tandoor
  8. tandem switch
  9. tandem
  10. Tancred
  1. tangerine
  2. tangible
  3. tangible asset
  4. tangible property
  5. Tangier
  6. tangle
  7. tangled
  8. tanglefoot
  9. tangly
  10. tango