- Main Entry:
- rel·e·vant
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈre-lə-vənt\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Medieval Latin relevant-, relevans, from Latin, present participle of relevare to raise up — more at relieve
- Date:
- 1560
1 a: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand b: affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion <relevant testimony> c: having social relevance2: proportional, relative
— rel·e·vant·ly adverb
synonyms relevant,
germane,
material,
pertinent,
apposite,
applicable,
apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand.
relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection
<found material relevant to her case>.
germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion
<a point not germane to the discussion>.
material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case
<facts material to the investigation>.
pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance
<a pertinent observation>.
apposite suggests a felicitous relevance
<add an apposite quotation to the definition>.
applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case
<the rule is not applicable in this case>.
apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune
<the quip was apropos>.
