relevant

The word “relevant” means closely connected to or important for the subject being discussed. In plain terms, connected to what matters right now, or still worth paying attention to.

“Relevant” is pronounced REH-luh-vuhnt (/ˈɹɛləvənt/ in IPA).

Here is “relevant” used in a sentence: “Please only include information relevant to the case.”

Words with a similar meaning to “relevant” include germane, in point, pertinent and salient.

The opposite of “relevant” — its antonyms — is irrelevant.

“Relevant” is an adjective.

The word “relevant” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin relevans, present participle of relevare, "to lift up, lighten, relieve" — the word first meant "legally pertinent" in Scots law before spreading into general English.

“Relevant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Related simply means there is some connection between two things. Relevant goes further: the connection actually matters to the matter at hand. A fact can be related to a topic yet still be irrelevant if it adds nothing useful. Relevance is about importance and bearing, not just loose association.

The direct opposite is irrelevant, meaning something has no bearing on the subject being discussed. Related words include immaterial, unrelated, and beside the point. Calling information irrelevant does not mean it is false — only that it does not help with, or matter to, the question actually being considered.

Relevance keeps discussion, writing, and decisions focused on what actually matters. Information that is accurate but irrelevant wastes time and distracts from the real issue. In search, law, and everyday argument alike, judging relevance — what genuinely bears on the subject — is what separates useful material from noise.

If you are assessing a candidate for a software job, their coding experience is relevant, while their favourite colour is not. Both are true facts about the person, but only the first is closely connected to and important for the subject being decided, which is exactly what makes it relevant.