View synonyms for

irrelevant

[ ih-rel-uh-vuhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

not relevant; not applicable or pertinent:
His lectures often stray to interesting but irrelevant subjects.
Law. (of evidence) having no probative value upon any issue in the case.

irrelevant

/ ɪˈ��ɛ��ə��ə�Գ� /

adjective

not relating or pertinent to the matter at hand; not important

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Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of irrelevant [ih-, rel, -, uh, -v, uh, nt], as [ih-, rev, -, uh, -l, uh, nt], as if spelled irrevelant, is the result of metathesis, the transposition of two sounds, in this case, the [l] and the [v]. Relevant, the base word, is occasionally subject to the same process. Analogy with words like prevalent and equivalent may play a role. A similar reordering of the [l] and [v] consonant sounds, althought not a strict one-to-one metathesis, can be heard for Calvary [kal, -v, uh, -ree] when pronounced [kav, -, uh, l-ree]. Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��𱹲��Գ��, noun
��ˈ��𱹲��Գٱ��, adverb

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Other Word Forms

��·���·��Գ�·�� adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of irrelevant¹

First recorded in 1780–90

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau dismissed South Sudan's explanation as "legally irrelevant", saying the African country's embassy in Washington "certified this particular individual as one of their nationals".

From

The other voice said, ‘The past is irrelevant; you will make this putt.’

From

He has been but a speck of lint on the Lakers’ lapel, a bit of dust at the end of the Lakers’ bench, a small and irrelevant bystander in the Lakers’ long and arduous journey.

From

It targeted poor countries, emerging economies and tiny irrelevant islets based on that data.

From

If a player uses excessive force, whether he takes the ball or not is irrelevant - it would still meet the threshold for a red card.

From

Related Words

irrelevancy irrelievable

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