pertinent

adjective

per·​ti·​nent ˈpər-tə-nənt How to pronounce pertinent (audio)
ˈpərt-nənt
: having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
pertinently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for pertinent

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

Examples of pertinent in a Sentence

At the dawn of the common-law court system, jurors took their places as residents of the neighborhood where the pertinent events had occurred, who were assumed to possess special knowledge of the facts and, more important, of every witness's credibility. Hiller B. Zobel, American Heritage, July/August 1995
A more pertinent question than "What am I?" is "How can I be who I am and still hack it in America?" C. Eric Lincoln, Lure and Loathing, 1993
But as my moment of fame ticks by, a more pertinent issue persists: What hath CNN wrought in the worlds of communications, of diplomacy, of politics? Peter Arnett, Washington Post, 25-31 Mar. 1991
No recurrent symbolism in the Odyssey is more pertinent than the long and deliberate stripping its hero undergoes: of his ships, of his men, of his hopes, of his clothes, even of his very skin on the cliffs of Corfu. John Fowles, Island, 1978
he impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorney's questions
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.
This will be especially pertinent in the upcoming season, with plans being formed for Kamara and club-record signing Amadou Onana to be paired together, with Tielemans constructing attacks from a more advanced role. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025 This is especially pertinent given that it has been reported the U.S. is proposing swapping land Moscow partially occupies for peace, which Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 Make your host aware of any pertinent information for your visit, like allergies or specific physical needs for your stay. Andee Tagle, NPR, 9 Aug. 2025 The social math was layered: Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King could be counted as the bride’s guests, but Winfrey, in particular, is a brilliant content creator and mogul and has every pertinent reason to show up to celebrate the betrothal of the owner of Amazon MGM. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pertinent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pertinent-, pertinens, present participle of pertinēre — see pertain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pertinent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pertinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pertinent. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

pertinent

adjective
per·​ti·​nent ˈpərt-ᵊn-ənt How to pronounce pertinent (audio)
ˈpərt-nənt
: having to do with the matter being thought about or discussed : relevant
a pertinent question
pertinently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pertinent

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