irrelevant
Irrelevant (adj) means not connected to or useful for the matter at hand. Example: “The lawyer objected that the question was irrelevant to the case.”
How to use irrelevant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeside the point; not relating to the matter being discussed.
Word forms
more irrelevant comparative, most irrelevant superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lawyer objected that the question was _____ to the case.
Etymology
Formed from ir- ("not") plus relevant.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for irrelevant
See all rhymes for irrelevant →Frequently asked questions
What does “irrelevant” mean?
The word “irrelevant” means not connected to or useful for the matter at hand. In plain terms, beside the point; not relating to the matter being discussed.
How do you pronounce “irrelevant”?
“Irrelevant” is pronounced ih-REH-luh-vuhnt (/ɪˈɹɛləvənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “irrelevant” in a sentence?
Here is “irrelevant” used in a sentence: “The lawyer objected that the question was irrelevant to the case.”
What is another word for “irrelevant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “irrelevant” include beside the mark, beside the point, immaterial, impertinent, irrelative and moot.
What is the opposite of “irrelevant”?
The opposite of “irrelevant” — its antonyms — are relevant, foreign and pertinent.
What part of speech is “irrelevant”?
“Irrelevant” is an adjective.
Is “irrelevant” a common word?
“Irrelevant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between irrelevant and unimportant?
Irrelevant means not connected to the matter at hand, while unimportant means lacking significance. Information can be important in general but still irrelevant to the question being discussed: a witness's medical history may matter greatly to them yet be irrelevant to the trial.
Is it spelled irrelevant or irrelevent?
The correct spelling is irrelevant, ending in -ant. The misspellings 'irrelevent' and 'irrevelant' are both common, but only irrelevant is standard; thinking of the related noun 'relevance' helps you remember the a.
Is it irrelevant to or irrelevant for?
The standard preposition is to: something is irrelevant to a discussion, a decision, or a case. 'Irrelevant for' does occur, but it sounds unidiomatic to many native speakers, so 'irrelevant to' is the safer choice in careful writing.
What is the opposite of irrelevant?
The direct opposite is relevant, meaning connected to and useful for the matter at hand. More formal alternatives include pertinent, germane, and applicable.
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