tangential

tan·gen·tial

adj \tan-ˈjen(t)-shəl\

Definition of TANGENTIAL

1

: of, relating to, or of the nature of a tangent

2

: acting along or lying in a tangent <tangential forces>

3

a : divergent, digressive b : touching lightly : incidental, peripheral <tangential involvement>; also : of little relevance <arguments tangential to the main point>

— tan·gen·tial·ly \-ˈjen(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of TANGENTIAL

1. Their romance is tangential to the book's main plot.

First Known Use of TANGENTIAL

1630

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with TANGENTIAL

credential, demential, essential, potential