[rel.e.vant] adj [ML relevant-, relevans, fr. L, prp. of relevare to raise up--more at relieve] (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 "~ testimony" c: having social relevance
2: proportional, relative -- rel.e.vant.ly adv syn 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".