English Reference
adjective · noun

pertinent

adj. · n.
US /ˈpɝtɪnɪnt/ UK /pˈɜːtɪnənt/ per·ti·nent

  1. 01 C1 Advanced FormalAcademic

    adj.directly related to the subject you are talking about or considering.

    adj.relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite. Often used in professional or academic contexts to describe evidence or questions.

    Simple

    The lawyer asked several pertinent questions about where the witness was that night.

    In context

    The researcher struggled to find pertinent data that specifically addressed the long-term environmental impact of the new chemical plant.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'to'.

    relevantapplicableappositegermane
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency TechnicalDialect Law

    n.a legal term for a right or a piece of land that belongs to a larger property.

    n.a right or adjunct that attaches to a primary piece of land. This is a specific technical term within the Scottish legal system.

    Simple

    The sale of the farm included the house, the fields, and all other pertinents.

    In context

    The deed clearly outlined the principal lands along with the pertinents, ensuring no ambiguity regarding the grazing rights on the adjacent hill.

    Usage

    Primarily used in the plural form 'pertinents'.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is restricted to Scots law; general learners should focus on the adjective sense meaning 'relevant'.

    appurtenanceadjunct

Usage particularly pertinent · pertinent information · pertinent question

Police services across the country are now more willing to release mugshots and other pertinent information.

Toronto Sun· 15 Aug 2026

Khan Sr’s comment that Arbeloa “believes in giving young players a chance” is pertinent for Fulham’s change in direction.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

Inherited from Middle English pertinent, borrowed from Old French pertinent and Latin pertinēns, pertinentem.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin pertinēns
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated