relevant
Americanadjective
adjective
-
having direct bearing on the matter in hand; pertinent
-
linguistics another word for distinctive
Pronunciation
See irrelevant.
Synonym Usage
See apt.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of relevant
First recorded in 1550–60; from Medieval Latin relevant-, stem of relevāns, special use of Latin present participle of relevāre “to raise, lift up”; see relieve ( def. ), -ant ( def. )
Explanation
Something is relevant if it's appropriate or connected to the matter at hand. Relevant things are helpful and on point. Relevant things are appropriate and make sense at that particular time. In the middle of history class, your teacher loves to get relevant questions: questions that have to do with the material. The teacher won't be thrilled to get a question about math: that's not relevant. You can also say a song or movie is relevant if it's connected to current events or issues people are talking about. When something is relevant, it just fits what is happening.
Vocabulary lists containing relevant
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1
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List 1
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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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.
For many real-world applications, that’s the more relevant question,” Shulaker said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Alunorte doesn’t expect further interruption to gas supply as a result of the current situation and continues to manage the matter in collaboration with Celba and the relevant authorities, it said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
United States, directed trial judges to defer to commentary issued by the relevant agency—i.e., the Sentencing Commission.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Later that day, Asos said it took immediate action to restrict the apparent hackers' access, was investigating and working with advisers and relevant authorities on "next steps".
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
So it was Jesse who’d gone on the Web and, between bouts of Quake II, tom through various search engines and relevant Chicago websites.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
Definitions 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.
