What "Irrelevant" Means and How to Use It

 

What "Irrelevant" Means

Irrelevant (adjective) means not connected to, not important to, or having nothing to do with the subject or situation being discussed.

• Opposite: Relevant (connected and important to the current topic).

• Pronunciation: /ɪˈrɛl.ə.vənt/ (ih-REL-uh-vuhnt)

How to Use It

"Irrelevant" is typically used in a few common ways:

1. Directly describing something that doesn't matter or connect

• Example: "Your opinion on the weather is irrelevant to our decision on the project budget."

• Example: "The exact date of the event is irrelevant; what matters is that we are prepared."

2. Dismissing a statement in an argument or discussion ("That's irrelevant")

• Example: "A: 'He was late because he missed his favorite TV show.' B: 'That's completely irrelevant.'"

• Example: "Let's stick to the main agenda and avoid bringing up irrelevant details."

Common Synonyms

• Unrelated

• Beside the point

• Impertinent

• Inapplicable