relevance
Relevance (noun) means the quality of being closely connected or applicable to the matter at hand. Example: “The lawyer questioned the relevance of the evidence.”
How to use relevance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow closely something connects to or matters for the topic at hand.
Word forms
relevances plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lawyer questioned the _____ of the evidence.
Etymology
From relevant plus the noun-forming suffix -ance.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for relevance
See all rhymes for relevance →Frequently asked questions
What does “relevance” mean?
The word “relevance” means the quality of being closely connected or applicable to the matter at hand. In plain terms, how closely something connects to or matters for the topic at hand.
How do you pronounce “relevance”?
“Relevance” is pronounced REHL-ih-vuhns (/ˈɹɛl.ɪ.vən(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “relevance” in a sentence?
Here is “relevance” used in a sentence: “The lawyer questioned the relevance of the evidence.”
What is the opposite of “relevance”?
The opposite of “relevance” — its antonyms — is irrelevance.
What part of speech is “relevance”?
“Relevance” is a noun.
Is “relevance” a common word?
“Relevance” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between relevance and importance?
Relevance describes how closely something is connected or applicable to the matter at hand, regardless of how significant it is overall. Importance describes how much something matters in a broader sense, independent of whether it directly relates to the current topic. Something can be relevant without being important, and important without being relevant to a specific discussion.
What is the difference between relevance and relevancy?
Relevance and relevancy have the same meaning and are used interchangeably to describe the quality of being applicable to the matter at hand. Relevance is far more common in modern usage, while relevancy appears more rarely and can sound slightly dated.
What preposition is used after relevance?
Relevance is typically followed by "to," as in "the relevance of the evidence to the case." This construction shows what the thing in question is connected or applicable to.