Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
irrelevant - 3 dictionary results

ir⋅rel⋅e⋅vant

[i-rel-uh-vuhnt]
–adjective
1. not relevant; not applicable or pertinent: His lectures often stray to interesting but irrelevant subjects.
2. Law. (of evidence) having no probative value upon any issue in the case.

Origin:
1780–90


ir⋅rel⋅e⋅vant⋅ly, adverb


The pronunciation of irrelevant[i-rel-uh-vuhnt] , as[i-rev-uh-luhnt], 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-vuh-ree] when pronounced[kav-uhl-ree]. Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.
ir·rel·e·vant   (ĭ-rěl'ə-vənt)   
adj.  Unrelated to the matter being considered.
ir·rel'e·vant·ly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean not pertinent to the subject under consideration: an irrelevant comment; a question extraneous to the discussion; an objection that is immaterial; mentioned several impertinent facts.
Antonym: relevant

Main Entry: ir·rel·e·vant
Pronunciation: ir-'re-l&-v&nt
Function: adjective
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent <irrelevant allegations> <irrelevant evidence> —compare IMMATERIALir·rel·e·vant·ly adverb
Language Translation for : irrelevant
Spanish: irrelevante,
German: unerheblich,
Japanese: 見当違いの
Search another word or see irrelevant on Thesaurus | Reference