adj.
Pronunciation: ' re-l ə -v ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin relevant-, relevans, from Latin, present participle of relevare to raise up ― more at RELIEVE
Date: 1560
1 a : 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
– rel · e · vant · ly adverb
synonyms 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 >.