tangential C2 Topic:Describing Qualities US /tænˈd͡ʒɛn.t͡ʃəl/ UK /tænˈd͡ʒɛn.t͡ʃəl/ See IPA manual Freq #88861 Meanings 1 adj of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent Tangential forces. 2 adj Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something. 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. 3 adj Merely touching, positioned as a tangent. The archoplasm divides and forms a very large spindle which first lies tangential to the surface of the nucleus. 4 adj Only indirectly related. That subject is tangential to our discussion, and we cannot let it distract us. Thesaurus Synonyms 4 adj · only indirectly related. tangent Word family Derived forms tangentially Related forms tangenttangental Etymology From tangent + -ial. Topics Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # tangential **Type:** Word **Level:** C2 **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /tænˈd͡ʒɛn.t͡ʃəl/ **IPA (UK):** /tænˈd͡ʒɛn.t͡ʃəl/ **Frequency rank:** 88861 ## Meanings 1. of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent 2. Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something. 3. Merely touching, positioned as a tangent. 4. Only indirectly related. ## Examples - Tangential forces. - 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. - 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 - tangent ## Derived Forms - tangentially ## Related Forms - tangent - tangental ## Etymology From tangent + -ial. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown