Orthogonal Definition & Meaning
orthogonal
- adjective
- not pertinent to the matter under consideration; "an issue extraneous to the debate"; "the price was immaterial"; "mentioned several impertinent facts before finally coming to the point"
- statistically unrelated
- having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles; "wind and sea may displace the ship's center of gravity along three orthogonal axes"; "a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system"
Words that rhyme with orthogonal
Usage tips for "orthogonal"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "orthogonal" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for orthogonal to find words that pair well.