rel·e·vant
(rĕĺə-vənt)
[Medieval Latin relevāns, relevant-, from Latin present participle of relevāre, to relieve, raise up; see relieve.]
adjective
- Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand.
derivatives
- reĺe·vant·ly
- adverb
synonyms:
relevant, pertinent, germane, material, apposite, apropos These adjectives describe what relates to and has a direct bearing on the matter at hand. Something relevant is connected with a subject or issue: performed experiments relevant to her research. Pertinent suggests a logical, precise relevance: assigned pertinent articles for the class to read. Germane implies close kinship and appropriateness: “He asks questions that are germane and central to the issue” (Marlin Fitzwater) Something material is not only relevant but also crucial to a matter: reiterated the material facts of the lawsuit. Apposite implies a striking appropriateness and pertinence: used apposite verbal images in the paper. Something apropos is both to the point and opportune: an apropos comment that concisely answered my question.
