tangential
Only slightly related or peripheral to the main topic
Examples
In a meeting
“That point is tangential to our core objective for this meeting.”
Over coffee
“Your story is tangential at best to what we were actually talking about.”
Why this word
irrelevant
tangential means touching the topic peripherally, while irrelevant means completely unrelated
off-topic
tangential suggests a slight connection exists, while off-topic is more absolute
unrelated
tangential implies diverging from the main point, while unrelated suggests no connection at all
Usage tip
Use to politely indicate something is off-topic without being dismissive. Softer than 'irrelevant.'
Etymology
Latin 'tangentem' — 'tangere' (to touch), via geometry where a tangent line touches at only one point
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Related words
relevant
Closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.
tangentially
In a way that is only slightly related or relevant
obsolete
No longer in use or no longer useful
highlight
To draw attention to the most important parts
tangent
A topic or direction that diverges from the main subject
extraneous
Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject at hand