germane
Americanadjective
-
closely or significantly related; relevant; pertinent.
Please keep your statements germane to the issue.
- Synonyms:
- suited, apt, fitting, appropriate, apposite, applicable, related
-
Obsolete. closely related.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of germane
Variant of german
Explanation
Germane means relevant; it fits in. If you are giving a speech on dog training, stick to the germane, canine stuff. Topics that would not be germane? Catnip toys, hamster wheels, and the use of a saddle. You can thank Shakespeare for the modern meaning of the adjective germane. The word originally referred to people who have the same parents. Shakespeare added the word's figurative meaning of objects being closely related or relevant when he used it in the play Hamlet. You might want to bring up all sorts of complaints during an argument with your best friend, but she says the two of you should only discuss issues that are germane to the current fight.
Vocabulary lists containing germane
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 11, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Pearl
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a germane question not only because Mr. Rubio presumably wants one day to be the party’s standard-bearer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026
Before 2008, the size of the Fed’s balance sheet wasn’t germane to monetary policy.
From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026
These are both important points, and they seem particularly germane in 2025.
From Slate ● Apr. 30, 2025
Tate’s trajectory is lurid and gross, but the references to him are more symbolically than specifically germane to the movie.
From New York Times ● Mar. 21, 2024
A point that Aristotle makes that is particularly germane here is that arguments are made from accepted premises—“and many accepted premises are mutually contradictory.”
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
