1. In a manner that touches lightly or peripherally; not directly or substantially related
The speaker touched tangentially on the main issue without addressing it directly.
O palestrante abordou tangencialmente a questão principal sem resolvê-la diretamente.
2. In a way that is related only slightly or superficially to the main topic
His comment was only tangentially related to our discussion.
Seu comentário estava apenas tangencialmente relacionado à nossa discussão.
3. Mathematically or geometrically, along or in the direction of a tangent
The ball moved tangentially away from the circle.
A bola se moveu tangencialmente para longe do círculo.