Word
irrelevant
Phoneticsir·rel·e·vant, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪˈɹɛɫəvənt/
UK/ɪɹˈɛlɪvənt/
Definitions
01not related to the topic
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not related to what you are discussing or doing right now.
adj. not applicable or pertinent to the matter under consideration. Often used to describe evidence or arguments that do not affect a conclusion.
“His personal life is irrelevant to his ability to do the job well.”
“The judge ruled that the witness's previous criminal record was irrelevant to the specific facts of the current case.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
02no longer famous
C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal
adj. no longer popular, important, or famous in the eyes of the public.
adj. describing a public figure or entity that has lost cultural significance or social media influence. Often used as a dismissive insult in online spaces.
“The singer became irrelevant after failing to release any new music for a decade.”
“In the fast-moving world of social media, yesterday's viral stars can become irrelevant within a matter of weeks.”
Teaching tip
This sense is common in internet culture and celebrity gossip; it is much more aggressive and personal than the standard meaning.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “irrelevant” in context.
Verb
01. become irrelevant
“Many traditional marketing techniques have become irrelevant in the digital age.”
verb + adj
02. remain irrelevant
“Despite the rebranding efforts, the company's products remain irrelevant to younger consumers.”
verb + adj
Preposition
03. dismissed as irrelevant
“His concerns were dismissed as irrelevant by the board of directors.”
verb + prep + adj
04. irrelevant to the discussion
“Please stop bringing up personal grievances that are irrelevant to the discussion at hand.”
adj + prep + noun
Adverb
05. largely irrelevant
“The historical context of the document is largely irrelevant to the current legal proceedings.”
adv + adj
06. rendered irrelevant
“The new software update has rendered the previous hardware version completely irrelevant.”
verb + adj
07. wholly irrelevant
“The witness's personal opinions were deemed wholly irrelevant to the facts of the case.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that a 60-day deadline for negotiations included in June’s memorandum of understanding was “irrelevant” because the US had violated the deal early on.” “Trump also said tariffs would help to reshore industry - but that's largely irrelevant in the case of coffee, which requires a subtropical climate.” Etymology
From ir- + relevant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/irrelevant