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Tangentially - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Tangentially means relating to something only slightly or indirectly. It is often used to describe a connection that is not central or main, such as a comment that barely relates to the topic.

tangentially

/tænˈdʒɛnʃəli/ /tænˈdʒɛnʃəli/

Definition:

Relating to or along a tangent; only slightly connected or relevant.

Synonyms:

indirectly, peripherally, incidentally, obliquely

Part of Speech:

adverb

Antonyms:

directly, centrally

Common Collocations:

tangentially related, tangentially connected, tangentially mentioned

Derivatives:

tangential, tangentiality

Usage Tips:

Use "tangentially" to describe something only loosely related to the main topic.

Common Phrases:

touch on tangentially, speak tangentially, approach tangentially

Etymology:

Derived from "tangent," from Latin "tangens," meaning "touching."

Examples:

  • 1. The speaker touched on the issue tangentially before moving on.
  • 2. Her comment was only tangentially related to the discussion.
  • 3. He mentioned the book tangentionally while discussing his research.
  • 4. The article addresses the topic tangentionally without deep analysis.

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