tangential

tangential

/tænˈdʒɛnʃəɫ/

❓ Questioning Techniques

only slightly relevant; diverging from the main point

tangential in a sentence

“Let's set aside tangential questions for now.”

Origin of tangential

Latin tangere to touch + -ial (from geometry: touching at a single point)

Related Words

open-ended

allowing a free response rather than a yes/no

closed-ended

requiring a specific, limited answer

leading

tending to suggest the desired answer

probing

seeking to explore or examine deeply

rhetorical

asked for effect, not requiring an answer

hypothetical

involving or based on a supposed scenario