germane

ger·mane

adjective \(ˌ)jər-ˈmān\

Definition of GERMANE

1

obsolete : closely akin

2

: being at once relevant and appropriate : fitting <omit details that are not germane to the discussion>

— ger·mane·ly adverb

Examples of GERMANE

1. facts germane to the dispute
2. <my personal opinion isn't germane to our discussion of the facts of the case>
3. The press material for this film contains some notes made by the Dardenne brothers during the shooting. Such material is usually disposable, but these notes are germane.. —Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic, 3 Feb. 2003
4. From time to time, engineers and scientists hold conferences … where they trot out ideas they have developed, frequently ideas germane to solving practical problems. —Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations,(1984) 1985
5. Bork and his supporters argued that his “academic” writings and his speeches were not germane to whether he should be confirmed. —Elizabeth Drew, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 1987

Origin of GERMANE

Middle English germain, literally, having the same parents, from Anglo-French

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GERMANE

Synonyms

applicable, apposite, apropos, pertinent, material, pointed, relative, relevant

Antonyms

extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, pointless

Related Words

appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, suitable; important, meaningful, significant; sensible, useful; admissible, allowable

Near Antonyms

frivolous, inconsequential, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; meaningless, purposeless, senseless, useless; inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable; inadmissible

See Synonym Discussion at relevant