relevance

relevance — noun

1. a measure of how directly something connects to the subject people are discussin

1.nounB2
Definition

a measure of how directly something connects to the subject people are discussing or dealing with

Example

Emre questioned the relevance of the old data to the current research project.

relevance of [something] to [something]

The relevance of her argument became clear when the committee reviewed all the evidence.

Common collocations
  • have relevance to
  • question the relevance of
  • see the relevance of
  • no relevance to
  • direct relevance
  • immediate relevance
  • clear relevance
Synonyms
  • connection

    more general; 'relevance' adds the idea of importance or usefulness to the topic

  • pertinence

    more formal; focuses on appropriateness to the subject rather than general connection

  • applicability

    emphasises practical fit, often used in academic or professional contexts

Antonyms
  • irrelevance

    the direct opposite; when something has no bearing on the matter

Grammar Patterns

the relevance of [something] to [something]

[something] has/have relevance to [something]

Usage Note

Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' to specify what something is connected to. The opposite form is 'irrelevance'.

Common Mistakes

The relevance of the document on the case was clear.
The relevance of the document to the case was clear.
'relevance' takes 'to', not 'on', when specifying what something connects to.
This information has no relevancy to our discussion.
This information has no relevance to our discussion.
'relevance' is the standard form; 'relevancy' exists but is far less common and may sound awkward.

2. the quality of being meaningful or helpful in people's everyday lives and real-w

2.nounB2
Definition

the quality of being meaningful or helpful in people's everyday lives and real-world situations

Example

Felipe wondered whether his philosophy degree would have any relevance in the job market.

have any relevance in [context]

Good teachers help students see the everyday relevance of science through simple experiments.

everyday relevance of [subject]

Common collocations
  • practical relevance
  • personal relevance
  • social relevance
  • lasting relevance
  • have relevance for
  • everyday relevance
  • real-world relevance
Synonyms
  • usefulness

    more straightforward; 'relevance' adds the idea that something fits the situation or time

  • value

    broader; can refer to monetary or moral worth, whereas 'relevance' is about meaningfulness in context

  • significance

    can overlap, but 'significance' often implies greater weight or importance

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[something] has/have [adjective] relevance

[adjective] relevance of [something]

Usage Note

This sense is often modified by adjectives like 'practical', 'personal', 'social', or 'lasting' to specify the type of value. Distinguish from sense 1 (CONNECTION TO TOPIC), which focuses on relation to a subject rather than real-world usefulness.

Common Mistakes

This training has relevance with my job.
This training has relevance to my job.
Although this sense emphasises practical value, the preposition 'to' (not 'with') is still used.

Word family

  • relevant
    adjectiveB2
  • relevantly
    adverbC1
  • irrelevance
    nounC1
  • irrelevant
    adjectiveB2
  • irrelevantly
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a link between two things, but they differ in emphasis. 'Relevance' is the broadest and most common term; it combines the ideas of logical connection and practical importance — a piece of evidence is 'relevant' if it both relates to and matters for the case. 'Pertinence' is more formal and narrower: it focuses on whether something is exactly appropriate to the subject at hand, without the connotation of practical value. 'Connection' is the most general and neutral — any two things can be 'connected' without being relevant (a chair and a tree are both made of wood, but that connection is rarely relevant to a discussion about furniture). 'Application' implies that a general principle or skill can be put to use in a specific situation; it overlaps with relevance but points toward action rather than logical relation. For example: 'The connection between diet and sleep is clear, but only some aspects have direct relevance to treating insomnia; knowing how to apply those findings to a patient's daily routine takes further training.'

relevance ↗pertinenceconnection ↗application ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have relevance to
  • bear relevance on
  • question the relevance of
  • lose its relevance
  • gain relevance
  • in terms of relevance
  • of great relevance

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish (via Scottish legal usage)

English borrowed 'relevance' from the Latin verb 'relevare', which meant 'to lift up, raise, or relieve'. In medieval Latin, the participle 'relevans' took on the sense of 'bearing upon or pertaining to' a matter — perhaps because raising a point in discussion involves 'lifting it up' for attention. Scottish courts adopted this legal sense in the 1500s, and by the 17th century the word had spread into general use with its modern meaning of being connected to the subject at hand.