irrelevant

[ih-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.

irrelevant

/ ɪˈrɛləvənt /

adjective

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

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of irrelevant , as , as if spelled irrevelant, is the result of metathesis, the transposition of two sounds, in this case, the and the . 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 and consonant sounds, althought not a strict one-to-one metathesis, can be heard for Calvary when pronounced . Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.

Other Word Forms

• irrelevantly adverb
• irrelevance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrelevant¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

“Why did I spend a day looking at slide after slide and regulation after regulation and report after report on ... compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act if the Posse Comitatus Act is irrelevant?”

From Los Angeles Times

Salonen’s new appointment may not have made the role of a music director or directors irrelevant; in the meantime it leaves the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Tesla accused the victims' lawyers of overwhelming the jury "with a flood of highly prejudicial but irrelevant evidence" including statements from Mr Musk.

From BBC

“The fear is there, and I’m still building the channels, but I am preparing, just in case my channels become irrelevant,” Chang, 33, said.

From Los Angeles Times

Several smaller states, including Delaware and Vermont, only get one seat in the House - making them largely irrelevant to the current fight.

From BBC

Related Words

• extraneous 
• immaterial 
• inappropriate 
• inconsequential 
• insignificant 
• pointless 
• trivial 
• unimportant 
• unnecessary 
• unrelated