# relevance

/ˈɹɛɫəvəns/ (US) · /ɹˈɛlɪvəns/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/relevance
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the quality of being useful or connected to what is happening now. If something has relevance, it matters to the person or the situation you are talking about.

For teachers: the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand. Often used to describe the applicability of information or ideas to a specific context.

## Examples

- The teacher explained the relevance of history to our lives.
- The lawyer argued that the witness's personal life had no relevance to the criminal case being tried.
- In an era of rapid technological change, many traditional industries struggle to maintain their relevance as consumer habits shift toward digital-first experiences.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the subject of connection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.