Word
relevant
Phoneticsrel·e·vant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛɫəvənt/
UK/ɹˈɛlɪvənt/
Definitions
01connected to a topic
B2 · Upper Intermediate General-service
adj. connected to what is happening or being talked about.
adj. closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand; pertinent.
“Please only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.”
“The witness provided several details that were not strictly relevant to the case, leading the judge to ask the lawyer to move on.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the connection.
Pitfall
This information is relevant with our project.
This information is relevant to our project.
The adjective 'relevant' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'with'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02current and useful
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. still important or useful in the modern world.
adj. having significant importance or utility in a contemporary context; not obsolete.
“The author's ideas about nature are still relevant more than a hundred years later.”
“Despite being written in the nineteenth century, the novel's exploration of social inequality remains deeply relevant to modern readers.”
Teaching tip
In academic writing, this often refers to whether a theory or study still holds value today.
Synonyms
03popular or famous
C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal
adj. popular, famous, or talked about right now.
adj. maintaining a high level of public visibility, influence, or popularity within contemporary culture.
“The singer released a new album just to stay relevant in the music industry.”
“Many former reality stars struggle to stay relevant once their initial season has finished airing and the public's attention shifts elsewhere.”
Teaching tip
This is common in social media contexts when discussing celebrities or influencers staying in the public eye.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “relevant” in context.
Adjective
01. directly relevant
“Your previous work experience is directly relevant to the responsibilities of this new role.”
adv + adj
02. especially relevant
“This chapter is especially relevant for students who are planning to specialize in international law.”
adv + adj
03. highly relevant
“The data collected during the survey is highly relevant to our current research project.”
adv + adj
04. particularly relevant
“The issues raised during the meeting are particularly relevant to the marketing department.”
adv + adj
05. potentially relevant
“The police are looking for any potentially relevant information that could help solve the case.”
adv + adj
06. relevant article
“The professor shared a relevant article that explained the economic theories we discussed in class.”
adj + noun
07. socially relevant
“The documentary focuses on socially relevant topics like poverty and access to education.”
adv + adj
08. relevant affiliations
09. arise relevant
10. constructive relevant
11. limiting relevant
Real-World Examples
“Some of the most directly relevant evidence comes from a rather unusual source: pilots.” “Since the case was reopened, CTP London said it had identified a line of inquiry “which may have been relevant” but was “not identified and pursued by [counter-terrorism police] at the time”.” Etymology
From Scots relevant meaning "legally pertinent," used in Scottish legal circles starting in the early 1500s, and first used in English in the 1700s. Borrowed from Latin relevāns, relevāntem, present active participle of relevō (“lift up again, lighten, relieve”), from re- (“again”) + levō (“lift”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/relevant