Tangential
hardNeutral tonetan-JEN-shul
adjective
Definition
only slightly relevant; diverging from the main point
Memory hook
TANGENTial: like a geometry TANGENT that just barely touches the circle then flies off on its own irrelevant path.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“His comment was tangential to the debate and only delayed the vote.”
“The report buries its key finding among pages of tangential detail.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“His comment was ______ to the debate and only delayed the vote.”
Show answer
tangential
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Tangential is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "peripheral" or "incidental" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "central".
Related GRE Words
extrinsic
Not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming from outside
extraneous
irrelevant or unrelated to the matter at hand
discursive
Digressing from subject to subject; rambling
cogent
Clear, logical, and convincing
fallacious
Based on a mistaken belief or unsound argument
germane
relevant and appropriate to the topic
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