irrelevant

adjective

ir·​rel·​e·​vant i-ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : inapplicable
that statement is irrelevant to your argument
irrelevantly adverb

Examples of irrelevant in a Sentence

His comment is completely irrelevant. irrelevant questions that merely disrupted the classroom lesson
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Whether a student has learned anything is irrelevant. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The question of whether or not Uniqlo is fast fashion or sustainable fashion or ethical fashion has perhaps become irrelevant in a world in which fashion—no modifier needed—is increasingly culpable for the ravaging of the planet. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 Was this irrelevant to the story? James Gaylord, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025 Arguably the most remarkable aspect of the aftermath of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination is how irrelevant its actual perpetrator was to the immediate discourse. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irrelevant

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrelevant was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irrelevant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrelevant. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

irrelevant

adjective
ir·​rel·​e·​vant (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)el-ə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent
the evidence presented was judged irrelevant to the case
irrelevance
-vən(t)s
noun
or irrelevancy
-vən-sē
irrelevantly adverb

Legal Definition

irrelevant

adjective
ir·​rel·​e·​vant ir-ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent
irrelevant allegations
irrelevant evidence
compare immaterial
irrelevantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irrelevant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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