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relevant

adjective
rel·​e·​vant | \ ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce relevant (audio) \

Definition of relevant

1a : 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 relevance
2 : proportional, relative
Other Words from relevant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about relevant

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Other Words from relevant

relevantly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for relevant

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 relevant in a Sentence

… the sport [men's tennis] is so invisible to the American fan that it's in danger of becoming as relevant as—gasp—soccer — Mike Freeman, NewYork Times, 1 Sept. 2002 Mendelian genetics is no more relevant to understanding heredity in the real world than Euclidean geometry is to understanding the shape of an oak tree. — Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 But it is much less relevant when the question becomes, as it should, "What, then, must we do with and for the one third or so of black America that seems to be permanently alienated from the structures of opportunity in this society?" — Glenn C. Loury, Atlantic, November 1997 The smallest distance that is relevant to measurement today is something like 10-17 centimeters, which is how far a thing called the Z0 (see zero) can travel before it departs our world. — Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993 The ideas and observations expressed in the book are still relevant today. make sure your comments during the interview are short and relevant
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The deep pockets of Sparks ownership is relevant because statues aren’t cheap. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Lisa Leslie deserves a statue at Staples Center, and she should get one," 4 Sep. 2019 The key is to keep the invite list short by only including people to whom the subject matter of the meeting is relevant. — Kathryn Vasel, CNN, "Workplace communication is crucial: Here's how to do it better," 30 Aug. 2019 Or maybe his business dealings implicate his presidential duties, which is why his tax records are relevant. — David Schultz, Twin Cities, "David Schultz: When are the private lives of public officials our concern?," 29 Aug. 2019 This is relevant because South Alabama opens the 2019 season at No. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "Recapping South Alabama’s football history vs. Power 5 opponents heading into opener at Nebraska," 27 Aug. 2019 Sadly, such turmoil has recurred over the past 55 years, making the story perennially relevant. — Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, "In Focus: Why ‘Fiddler’ plays on — and deserves to," 21 Aug. 2019 So, getting back to being relevant again in the world, that's one piece. — CBS News, "Transcript: Jim Sciutto talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 21 Aug. 2019 Miller believes her narrative has always been relevant. — Teghan Simonton, USA Today, "The Handmaid's Tale rides the political wave around women's rights — and contributes.," 13 Aug. 2019 Responsibilities: • Work with a team of journalists from The MMQB staff to track relevant NFL stories. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Sports Illustrated Hiring Audio Producer for MMQB NFL Podcast," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relevant.' 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 relevant

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for relevant

Medieval Latin relevant-, relevans, from Latin, present participle of relevare to raise up — more at relieve

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More Definitions for relevant

relevant

adjective
How to pronounce relevant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of relevant

: relating to a subject in an appropriate way

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

relevant

adjective
rel·​e·​vant | \ ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce relevant (audio) \

Kids Definition of relevant

: having something to do with the matter at hand a relevant question

relevant

adjective
rel·​e·​vant | \ ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce relevant (audio) \

Legal Definition of relevant

1 : tending logically to prove or disprove a fact of consequence or to make the fact more or less probable and thereby aiding the trier of fact in making a decision

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