The meaning of TANGENTIAL is touching lightly : incidental, peripheral; also : of little relevance. How to use tangential in a sentence. Tangential Has Mathematical Roots.

Add to word list (of a subject or activity) different than the one you are talking about or doing: a tangential issue (Definition of tangential from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © …

If you describe something as tangential, you mean that it has only a slight or indirect connection with the thing you are concerned with, and is therefore not worth considering seriously.

TANGENTIAL meaning: 1 : slightly or indirectly related to something not closely connected to something; 2 : relating to a tangent in or along a tangent

1. Of, relating to, or moving along or in the direction of a tangent. 2. Merely touching or slightly connected. 3. Only superficially relevant; divergent: a tangential remark.

When something is tangential, it is not directly relevant or essential to the central point or focus of discussion but may still have some relation. It often suggests a deviation or a sidetrack from the main …

Dec 20, 2025 · In the simplest terms, “tangential” refers to something that is only slightly relevant or connected to the main topic or subject. It implies a deviation or divergence from the core issue, often …

tangential, adj. & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Tangential definition: Of, relating to, or moving along or in the direction of a tangent.

Tangential means something that goes off in one direction that way and doesn't return. People can feel tangential — as though they're inessential and not relevant to a larger group.