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”; 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.
The CFO noted that the company will have to work hard to make the brand relevant in the Chinese market through disciplined execution and products tailored to local demand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Professors Carlos Manuel Vázquez and Steve Vladeck fleshed out the theory in an important 2013 article that has only grown more relevant since.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026
“Laissez les bons temps rouler” is as relevant to younger investors as Warren Buffett’s advice to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful has been to older generations.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
It also stressed that such actions were "being closely monitored and dealt with firmly, with violators referred to the relevant authorities for legal action".
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
These advances didn’t solve our nation’s inequality, but they did prove that our work was relevant and beneficial to society at large.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
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.
