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Definition of tangential

tangential

/tænˈdʒɛn.ʃəl/
tan · gen · tial
Adverb:tangentially
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tangential Lexical Profile

tangential Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Hardly touching a matter; peripheral or only slightly connected to the main subject.

Example

"The committee decided to set aside tangential issues and focus strictly on the annual budget."

2

Relating to, moving along, or in the direction of a geometric tangent.

Example

"The physics textbook illustrates how tangential velocity changes as the satellite orbits the planet."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for tangential

• Nearby Words

tang
tangelo
tangent
tangential
tangentially
tangerine
tanggedu

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century from the noun 'tangent' (from Latin tangere, meaning 'to touch') combined with the adjectival suffix '-ial'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tangential. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tangential
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