Unrelated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unrelated

[หŒสŒnrษชหˆleษชtษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

not connected

Not connected or associated in any way.

Synonyms

irrelevant, unassociated, unconnected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unrelated

Use this word when talking about things or topics that have no connection with each other.

  • The two events were completely unrelated
  • Her comment was unrelated to the discussion
unconnected

This is typically used to describe objects, topics, or ideas that lack a physical, logical, or relational link.

  • The two wires were unconnected, causing the circuit to fail
  • Their research topics were unconnected
irrelevant

This word fits best when you need to point out that something is not important or has no bearing on the current topic or situation.

  • His opinion on the matter is irrelevant
  • Bringing up past mistakes is irrelevant to our current issue
unassociated

This term is used when indicating that items or entities are not linked together in any form or relationship.

  • The company remained unassociated with the scandal
  • Those projects are unassociated with each other

Examples of usage

  • The two events are completely unrelated.
  • His comments are unrelated to the topic of discussion.
Context #2 | Adjective

not similar

Not similar or alike in any way.

Synonyms

different, dissimilar, distinct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unrelated

Used when describing things that have no connection or relation to each other.

  • Her comment was unrelated to the topic we were discussing
different

Applicable when comparing two or more things that are not the same in some way.

  • They went to different schools in the same town
dissimilar

Used when things have noticeable differences from each other.

  • The two paintings are quite dissimilar in style and technique
distinct

Best used when something is clearly separate and able to be identified as different.

  • The flavors of the dish were distinct, each ingredient standing out on its own

Examples of usage

  • Their tastes are completely unrelated.
  • The two paintings are unrelated in style.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Cognitive psychology explores how humans perceive relationships; when things are unrelated, our brain categorizes them differently.
  • In studies of memory, unrelated information is often harder to recall because our brains thrive on connections and patterns.
  • Conceptualizing unrelated items encourages creative thinking, pushing individuals to find links where none seem to exist.

Linguistics

  • In linguistics, related words often share a common root or are derivatives; unrelated words have no such linguistic lineage.
  • The relationship between words can impact language learning, where knowing related terms may aid vocabulary expansion.
  • Synonyms and antonyms form a web of relatedness within language; understanding unrelated terms broadens one's expressive capability.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, unrelated items can provoke humor and creativity, as seen in surrealist art and literature where absurd combinations create new meanings.
  • In cultural practices, the idea of unrelatedness encourages unique perspectives, promoting innovation through the unexpected.
  • Cross-cultural engagements often reveal unrelated concepts demonstrating how different cultures prioritize various aspects of life.

Education

  • In education, teaching about unrelated concepts fosters critical thinking; students learn to make connections among disparate ideas.
  • Interdisciplinary studies emphasize how unrelated subjects can influence each other, offering a more holistic learning experience.
  • Assessments in education often include unrelated topics to gauge students' ability to apply knowledge flexibly and innovatively.

Origin of 'unrelated'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'un-' comes from Old English, meaning 'not', while 'related' is derived from the Latin 'relatus', meaning 'to bring back' or 'to connect'.
  • The term 'unrelated' entered English around the late 19th century, reflecting a growing need to describe concepts or items without connections.
  • Understanding connections has been a central theme in English and other languages, as linguistic progress often revolves around relationships between words.

The word 'unrelated' originated in the 17th century, formed by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to the word 'related'. It has been used in English to describe things that are not connected or associated with each other.


See also: interrelated, relatable, relating, relation, relations, relationship, relative, relatively.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,444 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.