tangent (Meaning)
tangent (n)
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point
ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
tangent (v. t.)
A tangent line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.
tangent (a.)
Touching; touching at a single point
meeting a curve or surface at a point and having at that point the same direction as the curve or surface; -- said of a straight line, curve, or surface; as, a line tangent to a curve; a curve tangent to a surface; tangent surfaces.
Synonyms & Antonyms of tangent
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
tangent Sentence Examples
- During the math class, the teacher went off on a tangent about the history of calculus.
- The discussion about the economy quickly veered off on a tangent about environmental policy.
- She tried to steer the conversation back to the main topic, but her friend went off on a tangent about their vacation plans.
- His mind often wandered off on a tangent when he was supposed to be focusing on his work.
- The speaker's tangent about personal anecdotes detracted from the overall coherence of the presentation.
- We need to stay focused and avoid going off on tangents if we want to finish this project on time.
- The politician's speech started strong but then went off on a tangent about unrelated issues.
- Whenever they had a disagreement, he would always go off on a tangent about past grievances.
- Let's try to stick to the agenda and not go off on tangents during this meeting.
- The book's plot seemed to go off on tangents, making it difficult to follow the main storyline.
FAQs About the word tangent
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point, ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side o
peripheral,tangential, irrelevant, incidental, moot, pointless, inconsequential,extraneous, inapplicable, impertinent
relevant, relevant, pertinent, relative, important, significant,relative, significant, pointed, material
During the math class, the teacher went off on a tangent about the history of calculus.
The discussion about the economy quickly veered off on a tangent about environmental policy.
She tried to steer the conversation back to the main topic, but her friend went off on a tangent about their vacation plans.
His mind often wandered off on a tangent when he was supposed to be focusing on his work.
