tangential

IPA/tænˈdʒenʃl/
KK[tændʒˈɛnʃəl]IPA/tænˈdʒenʃl/

tangential — 形容詞

  • tangentialpositive
  • more tangentialcomparative
  • most tangentialsuperlative

1. relating to a straight line that just touches the edge of a curve at a single po

1.形容詞B2
釋義

切線的

與切線相關的

relating to a straight line that just touches the edge of a curve at a single point without cutting across it

例句

Gabriel drew a tangential line that touches the circle at exactly one point.

Gabriel 畫了一條在一個點上與圓形相切的切線。

tangential line + touches a curve at one point

The students learned to calculate the tangential slope of a parabola at any point.

學生們學會計算拋物線上任意點的切線斜率。

2. only slightly related to the main subject being discussed, often in a way that t

2.形容詞B2
釋義

離題的

與主題無直接關聯的

only slightly related to the main subject being discussed, often in a way that takes attention away from the central topic

例句

Theo kept bringing up tangential stories about his childhood instead of answering the question.

Theo 一直提起兒時的離題故事，而不是回答問題。

tangential + stories/points/remarks about unrelated topics

Lara's essay lost marks for including too many tangential details that did not support her argument.

Lara 的作文因包含太多與論點無關的細節而被扣分。

同義詞
  • irrelevant

    stronger than tangential; suggests no connection at all, while tangential implies a slight connection

  • digressive

    more formal, describes speech or writing that wanders from the topic

  • peripheral

    suggests something is on the edge or margin of the main concern

反義詞
  • relevant

    directly connected to the topic at hand

  • central

    at the heart of the matter, as opposed to being at the edge

用法筆記

This sense is far more common in everyday speech and writing than the mathematical sense. It usually carries a mildly negative tone, suggesting the speaker or writer has gone off-topic or included irrelevant material. Common in academic feedback, meeting discussions, and editorial reviews.

常見錯誤

❌His argument was tangent to the main point.
✅His argument was tangential to the main point.
💡'tangent' is a noun or a verb; the adjective form is 'tangential.'
❌The report contained tangental references.
✅The report contained tangential references.
💡the correct spelling is 'tangential,' not 'tangental.'