relevant
Americanadjective
adjective
-
having direct bearing on the matter in hand; pertinent
-
linguistics another word for distinctive
Pronunciation
See irrelevant.
Related Words
See apt.
Other Word Forms
- nonrelevant adjective
- relevance noun
- relevancy noun
- relevantly adverb
- unrelevant adjective
- unrelevantly adverb
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.
“After their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed, Bath & Beyond no longer existed,” Newsrom said on X. “We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
It can recommend sanctions against someone under investigation, but the decision has to be taken by relevant EU authorities.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
While this is useful for monetary policy, it also means leaving out some basic goods that are the most relevant to American households.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
His plan: Expand his two-year-old publication, Notus, by hiring big-name reporters to cover topics relevant to Washington’s powerful residents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Before such things are done, one hopes that the computers will contain every least bit of relevant information about the way of the world.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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.
