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relevance

relevance

118 3.4
A close connection to what is being discussed
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛlɪvəns/
translation icon : relevancia
  • This just arrived at the door and actually has some relevance to the project we're working on.
  • social relevance
  • feasibility and relevance
  • direct relevance

We're going to kind of discover the relevance of momentum space.

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Examples

  • Spatially extensive or rapid landscape changes are of particular relevance to policy and management.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Little of this music has relevance to the lives of students outside of school.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The only way to build demand is relevance at scale.

  • I think we can all appreciate the relevance of that now.

  • What is the relevance of that question?

  • What is the relevance of this?

  • Again, the students saw the relevance of helping others and were engaged.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In essence, the process has direct relevance to practice via applied research.

    Academic text (2011)
  • "It's about trying to make sure that the work we do has broader relevance," he says.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teacher emphasized the relevance of proper grammar in academic writing.

Synonyms

relevancy
vsrelevance
10 4.1

How closely something is connected to the topic being discussed

is the same idea but phrased as connection to the matter at hand
applicability
vsrelevance
8 5.7

How relevant or suitable something is for a particular use

is about close connection or appropriateness rather than practical use
materiality
vsrelevance
  • Specialized
2 8.4

Importance of a fact or detail that needs attention

is about mere connection or appropriateness without implying high importance
pertinence
vsrelevance
1 6.3

How much something connects to the topic being discussed

is about close connection or appropriateness without stressing directness
germaneness
vsrelevance
  • Formal
1 9.1

A close connection to what is being discussed

is broader, covering both close connection and general appropriateness
pertinency
vsrelevance
8.3

Clearly related to the subject or question

is more general and not limited to one particular situation

Antonyms

10 5.3

Something not related to the main topic

How Relevant

relevance
118 3.4
irrelevance
10 5.3

Surface Forms

relevance singular
relevances plural

Morphology

relevance = relevant (transparent) = relevant + ance

A straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'relevant' with the productive suffix '-ance' meaning 'the state or quality of being relevant'.

Etymology

Relevance comes from the Latin parts re- 'again' and levare 'to lift', a root you also see in English words like relief and elevate. So, something has relevance when it is 'lifted' into importance because it fits or connects to the topic.