What does tangential mean?
Tangential means Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something..
Tangential
/tænˈd͡ʒɛn.t͡ʃəl/ · adjective
Meaning
Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something..
Definitions by Sense
- Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something.
- Merely touching, positioned as a tangent.
- Only indirectly related.
Example Sentences
The meteor came in on a tangential orbit and exploded about 8 or 10 miles above the earth's surface, just south of the Arctic Circle.
A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.
The archoplasm divides and forms a very large spindle which first lies tangential to the surface of the nucleus.
That subject is tangential to our discussion, and we cannot let it distract us.
Synonyms for tangential
Antonyms for tangential
Related Words
Word Forms
- more tangential
- most tangential
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for tangential?
Common synonyms include tangent, irrelevant, digressive.
What is the opposite of tangential?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use tangential in a sentence?
The meteor came in on a tangential orbit and exploded about 8 or 10 miles above the earth's surface, just south of the Arctic Circle.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.