Irrelevant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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irrelevant
ir-rel-e-vant
Definition
not important
Not relevant or connected to the matter at hand; having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue.
Synonyms
extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, inconsequential.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| irrelevant |
Use this word when something does not pertain to the subject at hand.
|
| immaterial |
Use this word when something is not important or does not matter in a given context.
|
| extraneous |
This word is used to refer to something that is not essential or is not needed in a particular situation.
|
| inapplicable |
This word is suitable when something does not apply to the current situation.
|
| inconsequential |
Use this word when something is so unimportant that it can be ignored.
|
Examples of usage
- The information he provided was completely irrelevant to the discussion.
- Her comments were deemed irrelevant by the committee.
- The irrelevant details only served to confuse the audience.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “irrelevant”
Irrelevant is a 4-syllable adjective (ir-rel-e-vant). It is pronounced /ˌɪˈɹɛɫəvənt/ in American English and /ɪɹˈɛlɪvənt/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #6,640 among the most common English words.
Did you know?
“irrelevant” in communication
- In discussions, mentioning irrelevant facts can confuse the audience and make it hard to follow the main point.
- In academic writing, staying relevant is crucial for maintaining clarity and focus in arguments.
“irrelevant” in psychology
- Cognitive overload occurs when irrelevant information distracts the brain, hindering decision-making and learning.
- Research shows that when people focus on irrelevant details, their ability to remember important information decreases.
“irrelevant” in technology
- In digital marketing, irrelevant ads can lead to user disengagement and negatively impact a brand's reputation.
- Search engines aim to filter out irrelevant content to provide users with the most pertinent results for their queries.
“irrelevant” in pop culture
- In many comedy shows, irrelevant humor is a common technique to create surprise and entertain the audience.
- Reality TV often includes irrelevant drama to attract viewers, distracting them from the main storyline.
Origin of 'irrelevant'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'irrelevans', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'relevans' means 'to be related'.
- It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, relating to the concept of relevance in discussions and debates.
The word 'irrelevant' originated from the Latin word 'irrelevans', which is a combination of 'ir-' (not) and 'relevans' (relevant). The term has been used in English since the 16th century to describe something that is not pertinent or applicable to the current situation.
See also: irrelevance, relevancy.