relevant

[rel-uh-vuhnt]

adjective

1. bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent.

   a relevant remark.

   Synonyms: fitting, suitable, appropriate, apposite, germane, applicable

relevant

/ ˈrɛlɪvənt /

adjective

1. having direct bearing on the matter in hand; pertinent

2. linguistics another word for distinctive

Pronunciation Note

See irrelevant.

Other Word Forms

• relevance noun
• relevancy noun
• relevantly adverb
• nonrelevant adjective
• unrelevant adjective
• unrelevantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of relevant¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relevant¹

C16: from Medieval Latin relevans , from Latin relevāre to lighten, from _re- + levāre to raise, _relieve

Synonym Study

See apt.

Example Sentences

Police say they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and have asked anyone with information or relevant footage to contact them.

Read more on BBC

Government works pretty well all over the world, so long as well-meaning people with strong, relevant experience are put in leadership positions.

Read more on Salon

“Having taken the decision to wind down operations in India, GM worked with all relevant authorities to ensure necessary approvals were granted,” said GM spokesman George Svigos.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Someone who retires with a set-it-and-forget-it plan may find it’s no longer relevant, because life constantly throws us curveballs, like changes in family circumstances, health and the economy.”

Read more on MarketWatch

"While our studies are in mice, there is evidence to suggest this pathway is relevant in people," Lodhi said.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• admissible 
• applicable 
• compatible 
• consistent 
• germane 
• important 
• pertinent 
• proper 
• related 
• significant 
• suitable 
• suited