tangential
Meaning(s)
1. a change in direction (often not planned)
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
tangential thoughts/directions/roads
Analysis
Tangential is an adjective used to describe something relating to a tangent or diverting from a previous thought or course of action. Something which is tangential is not part of the whole or is a digression. This is a very formal adjective used mostly in professional contexts.
Social Examples (Advance)
- The road split into three separate roads, meaning there were tangential ways to go from there.
- Stick to the plan. Tangential ideas will lead you off course.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Your presentation has too many tangential topics and thoughts. I think we need to streamline it to make it more focused.
- I get really annoyed at company meetings. We never stick to the agenda and always end up discussing something tangential that is less important.