Irrelevance: meaning, definitions and examples
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irrelevance
[ ɪˈrɛlɪvəns ]
in conversation
The quality or state of being irrelevant or not important.
Synonyms
immateriality, insignificance, unimportance.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
irrelevance |
Use when referring to something that is not related to the current topic or situation.
|
unimportance |
Used to describe something that holds little to no importance or priority, often in everyday discussions.
|
insignificance |
Refers to something that is minor or trivial, often highlighting its lack of impact or worth.
|
immateriality |
Typically used in formal or legal contexts to denote something that lacks substance or importance to a matter being discussed.
|
Examples of usage
- The speaker's comments were met with silence, highlighting the irrelevance of his points.
- His constant interruptions only added to the overall irrelevance of the meeting.
- The irrelevance of his argument became apparent as the discussion progressed.
in journalism
The lack of connection or pertinence to the main topic or story.
Synonyms
extraneousness, irrelevancy, tangentiality.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
irrelevance |
Typically used to describe a situation where something is not applicable or related to the matter at hand. It’s commonly utilized in both formal and informal contexts.
|
irrelevancy |
This word has a similar meaning to 'irrelevance,' but it is less commonly used. It also typically appears in formal contexts or discussions.
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extraneousness |
Used in formal contexts to indicate that something is not essential or is unrelated to the main subject. This word often implies that the extraneous information can be distracting or unnecessary.
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tangentiality |
This term is used when something is slightly related but not directly relevant to the main subject. Often found in academic or intellectual discussions, it implies a more subtle or indirect connection to the topic.
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Examples of usage
- The inclusion of irrelevant details only served to create confusion and irrelevance in the article.
- Readers quickly lost interest due to the irrelevance of the information presented.
Translations
Translations of the word "irrelevance" in other languages:
🇵🇹 irrelevância
🇮🇳 अप्रासंगिकता
🇩🇪 Irrelevanz
🇮🇩 ketidakrelevanan
🇺🇦 недоречність
🇵🇱 nieistotność
🇯🇵 無関係
🇫🇷 irrélevance
🇪🇸 irrelevancia
🇹🇷 önemsizlik
🇰🇷 무관함
🇸🇦 عدم الصلة
🇨🇿 nepodstatnost
🇸🇰 nepodstatnosť
🇨🇳 无关紧要
🇸🇮 nepomembnost
🇮🇸 óviðeigandi
🇰🇿 маңызсыздық
🇬🇪 არასაჭიროება
🇦🇿 əhəmiyyətsizlik
🇲🇽 irrelevancia
Etymology
The word 'irrelevance' originated from the Latin word 'irrelevans', which means 'not lifting up'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The concept of irrelevance has long been discussed in philosophy, psychology, and communication studies, highlighting the importance of relevance in various aspects of human interaction and understanding.
See also: irrelevant, relevancy.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #24,592, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 24589 misread
- 24590 disfigurement
- 24591 unbuttoned
- 24592 irrelevance
- 24593 dowager
- 24594 signet
- 24595 probationer
- ...