Tangential

Relating to or along a tangent; touching lightly or diverting from a main subject. It often implies a lack of direct connection or relevance. Things described as Tangential may be only slightly connected to the central topic, or may move in a direction that deviates from the primary focus. The term can be used to describe a discussion, an idea, a relationship, or a line of thought.

Tangential meaning with examples

• During the meeting, the speaker made a Tangential remark about his weekend plans, which had nothing to do with the project's progress.
• The professor's lecture occasionally took Tangential detours into historical anecdotes, though they did provide context.
• Her initial response to the question was a Tangential answer, failing to directly address the core issue at hand.
• Their conversation drifted along Tangential paths, touching on various subjects before eventually circling back.
• The politician's speech made Tangential references to the economy without offering specific solutions to current problems.