tangentially
In a way that is only slightly related or relevant
Examples
In a meeting
“This issue is only tangentially connected to our main project goals.”
Over coffee
“The movie was tangentially about love, but mostly about robots.”
Why this word
indirectly
indirectly means not straight; tangentially specifically means barely touching or only peripherally related
slightly
slightly indicates degree; tangentially indicates peripheral relationship to main topic
marginally
marginally suggests small degree; tangentially emphasizes touching only at the edge or surface
Usage tip
Use when something touches on a topic without being central to it; helpful for acknowledging loose connections
Etymology
Latin: tangentem (touching), from tangere 'to touch'
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Related words
obsolete
No longer in use or no longer useful
resonate
Connect deeply with or have special meaning for someone
integrate
To combine separate systems or components into a unified whole
extraneous
Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject at hand
tangential
Only slightly related or peripheral to the main topic
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion