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relevance — the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈreləvəns/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother's advice about dating has questionable relevance in the age of dating apps.
  • The relevance of this 1990s marketing strategy to today's social media landscape is minimal.
  • The teacher questioned the relevance of my essay about pizza toppings to the assignment on climate change.

relevance

NOUN

[/ˈreləvəns/]

the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered

The detective circles the one clue with clear relevance to the case.
💡 Concept

The detective circles the one clue with clear relevance to the case.

The researcher pulled an old document back into the spotlight because it was highly relevant to the current problem.
🧠 Mnemonic

The researcher pulled an old document back into the spotlight because it was highly relevant to the current problem.

Gathering clear physical evidence through strict science, she proved the true relevance of the experiment.
🎵 Rhyme

Gathering clear physical evidence through strict science, she proved the true relevance of the experiment.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈreləvəns/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈreləvəns/

🌳Etymology

Rootrelev-
Suffix--ance

Origin

The word derives from Latin 'relevare', meaning 'to lift up' or 'to alleviate'. Originally denoting the act of easing or removing a burden, the term evolved semantically to mean 'to matter' or 'to have bearing', and subsequently developed into the modern sense of 'pertinence' or 'applicability'.

Breakdown

re- (again) + levare (to lift, from levis meaning light) + -ance (noun suffix denoting state or quality). The suffix -ance transforms the verb into an abstract noun expressing the state of being lifted up or having pertinence.

🎵Rhyme

eleganceprevalencebenevolence
elegance
prevalence
benevolence

🔗Collocations

direct relevance
practical relevance
question the relevance
lose relevance
contemporary relevance
assess relevance

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother's advice about dating has questionable relevance in the age of dating apps.”

“The relevance of this 1990s marketing strategy to today's social media landscape is minimal.”

😄 Fun example

“The teacher questioned the relevance of my essay about pizza toppings to the assignment on climate change.”

“The relevance of historical events to current political situations cannot be ignored.”

📚Related Words

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