adj
Common
irrelevant
ih-REH-luh-vuhnt
Irrelevant (adj) means not connected to or useful for the matter at hand. Example: “Most of the details in his email were irrelevant to our project.”
adj
1
Not connected to or useful for the matter at hand.
"Most of the details in his email were irrelevant to our project."
"The lawyer objected that the question was irrelevant to the case."
"His age is irrelevant to whether he can do the job well."
How to use irrelevant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeside the point; not relating to the matter being discussed.
Common pairings
largely irrelevant
irrelevant detail
deem irrelevant
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more irrelevant
- Superlative
- most irrelevant
Fill the gap
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Most of the details in his email were _____ to our project.
Etymology
Formed from ir- ("not") plus relevant.
Synonyms
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unrelated
inapplicable
extraneous
unconnected
inapposite
neither here nor there
beside the mark
beside the point
immaterial
impertinent
irrelative
moot
Antonyms
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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