relevant
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
connected to what is happening or being talked about.
closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand; pertinent.
Simple“Please only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.”
In context“The witness provided several details that were not strictly relevant to the case, leading the judge to ask the lawyer to move on.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the connection.
PitfallThis information is relevant with our project. This information is relevant to our project.The adjective 'relevant' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'with'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
still important or useful in the modern world.
having significant importance or utility in a contemporary context; not obsolete.
Simple“The author's ideas about nature are still relevant more than a hundred years later.”
In context“Despite being written in the nineteenth century, the novel's exploration of social inequality remains deeply relevant to modern readers.”
Teacher's tipIn academic writing, this often refers to whether a theory or study still holds value today.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
popular, famous, or talked about right now.
maintaining a high level of public visibility, influence, or popularity within contemporary culture.
Simple“The singer released a new album just to stay relevant in the music industry.”
In context“Many former reality stars struggle to stay relevant once their initial season has finished airing and the public's attention shifts elsewhere.”
Teacher's tipThis is common in social media contexts when discussing celebrities or influencers staying in the public eye.
Usage relevant affiliations · arise relevant · constructive relevant
“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”.”
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.