irrelevant

[ ih-rel-uh-vuhnt ]

adjective

1. not relevant; not applicable or pertinent:

   His lectures often stray to interesting but irrelevant subjects.

2. Law. (of evidence) having no probative value upon any issue in the case.

irrelevant

/ ɪˈrɛləvənt /

adjective

1. not relating or pertinent to the matter at hand; not important

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of irrelevant [ih-, rel, -, uh, -v, uh, nt], as [ih-, rev, -, uh, -l, uh, nt], as if spelled irrevelant, is the result of metathesis, the transposition of two sounds, in this case, the [l] and the [v]. Relevant, the base word, is occasionally subject to the same process. Analogy with words like prevalent and equivalent may play a role. A similar reordering of the [l] and [v] consonant sounds, althought not a strict one-to-one metathesis, can be heard for Calvary [kal, -v, uh, -ree] when pronounced [kav, -, uh, l-ree]. Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.

Derived Forms

• irˈrelevance, noun
• irˈrelevantly, adverb

Other Words From

• ir·rele·vant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrelevant¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Suddenly, the patriarchy - a concept thought by many as arcane or irrelevant - was discussed widely.

From BBC

In Ireland, the stories are almost never simple, and tend to involve seemingly irrelevant tangents and extended detours into the past.

From Salon

A program that defines itself by championships risks becoming irrelevant when there’s an absence of hope, and USC is hopeless at the moment.

From Los Angeles Times

Both men, who were spoken to by Spanish police, were ruled as "irrelevant" to the investigation into Mr Slater's disappearance.

From BBC

“We can’t sit there and watch other people,” he said, “because if we don’t handle what we’re supposed to handle it all is irrelevant. … I’m looking forward to learning about ourselves down this stretch.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extraneous
• immaterial
• inappropriate
• inconsequential
• insignificant
• pointless
• trivial
• unimportant
• unnecessary
• unrelated