pertinent

adjective

per·​ti·​nent ˈpər-tə-nənt 

ˈpərt-nənt

: having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand

pertinently adverb

Synonyms

• relevant
• applicable

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

Despite the silence on any pertinent information, White House officials were quick to tout the move on social media. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025

This is pertinent in the profitability and sustainability (PSR) era. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 July 2025

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to these pertinent questions. —Gabriel René, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025

McGovern considers the point while making a more pertinent one of her own. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 July 2025

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

Rhymes for pertinent

• appurtenant
• impertinent

Kids Definition

pertinent

adjective

per·​ti·​nent ˈpərt-ᵊn-ənt 

ˈpərt-nənt

: having to do with the matter being thought about or discussed : relevant

a pertinent question

pertinently adverb