What does "relevant" mean?

1. (connected to a topic) connected to what is happening or being talked about. 2. (current and useful) still important or useful in the modern world. 3. (popular or famous) popular, famous, or talked about right now.

How do you use "relevant"?

Usually followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the connection.

Is it correct to say "This information is relevant with our project."?

No — say "This information is relevant to our project.". The adjective 'relevant' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'with'.

relevant

adj.

US //ˈɹɛɫəvənt// UK //ɹˈɛlɪvənt// rel·e·vant

1 connected to a topic (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate General-service

connected to what is happening or being talked about.

closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand; pertinent.

Example

Please only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Example

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.
- irrelevant
- unrelated
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'.
2 current and useful (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

still important or useful in the modern world.

having significant importance or utility in a contemporary context; not obsolete.

Example

The author's ideas about nature are still relevant more than a hundred years later.

Example

Despite being written in the nineteenth century, the novel's exploration of social inequality remains deeply relevant to modern readers.

Teacher's tip

In academic writing, this often refers to whether a theory or study still holds value today.
- obsolete
- dated

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3 popular or famous (adj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal

popular, famous, or talked about right now.

maintaining a high level of public visibility, influence, or popularity within contemporary culture.

Example

The singer released a new album just to stay relevant in the music industry.

Example

Many former reality stars struggle to stay relevant once their initial season has finished airing and the public's attention shifts elsewhere.

Teacher's tip

This is common in social media contexts when discussing celebrities or influencers staying in the public eye.
- forgotten
- washed up

Origin

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”).