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pertinent

adjective
per·​ti·​nent | \ ˈpÉ™r-tÉ™-nÉ™nt How to pronounce pertinent (audio) , ˈpÉ™rt-nÉ™nt\

Definition of pertinent

: having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
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Other Words from pertinent

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 How Williams' ankle feels on Tuesday will be a pertinent question. — Ravi Ubha, CNN, "Serena Williams advances to US Open quarterfinals but injures her ankle," 1 Sep. 2019 Perhaps nowhere is the question more pertinent than Chicago, where TIF districts blanket the city to an extent not matched by any other big city in America, according to a 2018 study by the nonprofit Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. — Hal Dardick, chicagotribune.com, "The race to beat the clock on Lincoln Yards: How a delay could have stopped the megadevelopment from getting $1.3 billion in taxpayer money," 26 Aug. 2019 More than the identity of the bomber, the pertinent question that propels the season is: Can someone who’s been through what Veronica has been through ever find happiness? — Judy Berman, Time, "Veronica Mars Is the Best TV Revival Since Twin Peaks," 19 July 2019 Now that the magical ride of Auburn baseball’s postseason is over, there is one pertinent question that will be thought about throughout their offseason. — Sam Blum | [email protected], al.com, "Auburn baseball plans to get back to the CWS. Are they equipped to do it?," 22 June 2019 The more pertinent question, of course, is when can the Padres play him regularly? — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Minors: Padres’ Luis Urias keeping focus on work in front of him as he slugs way through PCL," 12 June 2019 The pertinent question regarding this game is: What move should the first player make? — Quanta Magazine, "A Life in Games," 28 Aug. 2015 The host is required to provide a time and place, as well as any pertinent details (e.g., the inclusion of the guest’s ex-husband). — Judith Martin, The Mercury News, "Miss Manners: Our guests got sulky over dinner arrangements," 25 July 2019 Mark Pulliam, who might disagree that this is the crucial question, certainly thinks the Declaration is not pertinent to construing the Constitution. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: To construe the Constitution, look to the Declaration," 4 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pertinent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pertinent

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pertinent

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

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More Definitions for pertinent

pertinent

adjective
How to pronounce pertinent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pertinent

formal : relating to the thing that is being thought about or discussed

See the full definition for pertinent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pertinent

adjective
per·​ti·​nent | \ ˈpÉ™r-tÉ™-nÉ™nt How to pronounce pertinent (audio) \

Kids Definition of pertinent

: relating to the subject that is being thought about or discussed : relevant a pertinent question

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More from Merriam-Webster on pertinent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pertinent

Spanish Central: Translation of pertinent

Nglish: Translation of pertinent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pertinent for Arabic Speakers

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