relevance

American  

[rel-uh-vuhns] / ˈrɛl ə vəns /

Often relevancy

noun

1. the condition of being relevant, or connected with the matter at hand.

   Some traditional institutions of the media lack relevance in this digital age.

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Etymology

Origin of relevance

First recorded in 1620–30, for an earlier sense; relev(ant) ( def. ) + -ance ( def. )

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Explanation

To know the relevance of something is to know why it matters or how it is important. I don't understand the relevance of this discussion: it doesn't seem important to me. If you don't understand the relevance of the word "relevant" to the discussion of the meaning of the word relevance, we're gonna have some trouble. When something is "relevant," it matters. Its relevance is clear. Relevance is simply the noun form of the adjective "relevant," which means "important to the matter at hand." Artists and politicians are always worried about their relevance. If they are no longer relevant, they may not keep their job. Someone without relevance might be called "irrelevant."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relevance

Cause if you rail against it, suddenly you become a plastic surgery disaster, trying desperately to hold on to relevance as you hit your 50s and 60s or 70s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Documentaries are about life, and as such, their relevance is evergreen.

From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026

He also suggested that the platform risked a drop in relevance as its larger rivals competed more aggressively.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

Those little duels might disappear from relevance after the deluge, but at the time they were important.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

We were sinking under the wisdom, accuracy, and relevance of Maureen’s last words.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

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Related Words

• applicability
• importance
• purpose

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