On this page11 sections
- Quick picker
- Relevant meaning "connected to the matter"
- Relevant meaning "applies here"
- Relevant on a resume or cover letter
- Relevant meaning "current" or "still matters today"
- Relevant meaning "important"
- Synonyms for relevance (the noun)
- Opposites of relevant
- Mistakes to avoid
- Practice
- Quick answers
The closest synonyms for relevant are pertinent, applicable, related and connected when you mean “linked to the matter in hand”. If you mean “important right now”, use timely, topical or current; if you mean “it matters”, use significant or meaningful.
“Relevant” is a word people reach for constantly in reports, cover letters and essays, and it can start to sound empty. Swapping it is useful only if the new word is more exact, so the groups below follow the different jobs “relevant” does, with example sentences and notes on tone.
Quick picker
| You mean… | Try | Example |
|---|---|---|
| connected to the question | pertinent, germane, related | Please keep comments pertinent to the agenda. |
| applies to this case or person | applicable, appropriate, suitable | Fill in only the applicable sections. |
| useful for a job or goal | useful, valuable, transferable | Five years of directly related experience. |
| current, fits the moment | timely, topical, up to date | A timely report on housing costs. |
| it matters | significant, meaningful, important | The difference is not significant. |
Relevant meaning “connected to the matter”
- Pertinent – the most exact synonym; slightly formal. “She asked several pertinent questions about the budget.”
- Germane – formal, common in law and academic writing. “That detail isn’t germane to the case.”
- Related / connected – plain and neutral. “Attach any related documents.”
- To the point – for comments and answers that stay on topic. “Her reply was short and to the point.”
- Apposite – formal; especially for a fitting remark or quotation. “An apposite quotation opened the talk.”
- Material – legal and financial: relevant enough to change a decision. “The seller failed to disclose a material fact.”
- On topic – informal; forums, meetings, classrooms. “Let’s keep this thread on topic.”
Note the prepositions: something is relevant to, pertinent to, germane to or related to a subject.
Relevant meaning “applies here”
- Applicable – the standard word on forms and in rules. “Delete as applicable.” “The discount is not applicable to sale items.”
- Appropriate – when you mean suitable for the situation. “Contact the appropriate department.”
- Suitable / fitting – fits the need or occasion. “A suitable example.”
- Corresponding – matches something mentioned. “Enter the corresponding code.”
- Respective – each to its own; after plural nouns. “The students returned to their respective schools.”
Relevant on a resume or cover letter
“Relevant experience” is one of the most repeated phrases in job applications. Recruiters scan for proof, so a sharper phrase helps only if it is backed by details.
- Directly related experience – “three years of directly related experience in payroll”.
- Hands-on experience in – stresses practical work. “Hands-on experience in data migration”.
- Transferable skills – skills from another field that apply to this job.
- Applicable experience – slightly formal; fine in a cover letter.
- Background in – “a background in customer support”.
- Experience that matches / aligns with – “My work at X aligns closely with the requirements in your posting.”
Often the best fix is to drop the adjective and name the thing: instead of “relevant experience”, write “four years running social media for two retail brands”. For more resume wording, see synonyms for experience on your resume and synonyms for add value.
Relevant meaning “current” or “still matters today”
In everyday speech “relevant” also means up to date or still important: “Is the book still relevant?” “The band stayed relevant for decades.”
- Timely – arrives at the right moment. “A timely reminder.”
- Topical – connected to current events. “A topical comedy show.” (In medicine, “topical” also means applied to the skin.)
- Current / up to date / contemporary – “The advice is still current.”
- Still matters / still resonates – for books, ideas and art. “Orwell’s essay still resonates.”
- In touch – for people and brands. “The brand worked hard to stay in touch with younger buyers.”
Relevant meaning “important”
- Significant – matters, or (in statistics) is unlikely to be chance. “A significant change.”
- Meaningful – has real value or effect. “A meaningful contribution.”
- Important / key / essential – stronger: the thing is central, not just connected. “Key facts” claims more than “relevant facts”.
Be careful here: “relevant” only says something is connected; “significant” and “key” say it matters a lot. A relevant point can still be minor.
Synonyms for relevance (the noun)
Pertinence, applicability, bearing, connection, importance and significance. “Bearing” is often the most natural in a sentence: “This has no bearing on the decision.” “What bearing does it have on us?”
Opposites of relevant
Irrelevant, unrelated, beside the point, off topic, immaterial (formal/legal), extraneous (formal: added and unnecessary), neither here nor there (idiom: it makes no difference), and outdated for the “current” sense.
Mistakes to avoid
- “Relevant for” vs “relevant to”. “Relevant to” is the usual form for a subject (“relevant to the debate”). “Relevant for” is common when you mean useful for someone: “skills relevant for beginners”. Both appear in good writing; if unsure, use “to”.
- Using “pertinent” in casual speech. “That’s a pertinent point, mate” sounds stiff. In conversation, “good point” or “that’s to the point” is more natural.
- “Germane” and “material” outside formal writing. Both are precise but formal; in an email to a friend they sound like a court document.
- “Relevant” when you mean “important”. “This is a very relevant issue” often means “important” or “urgent” – say that.
- Spelling. It is relevant, not “relevent”.
Practice
Choose the best replacement for “relevant” in each sentence.
- Please include all relevant receipts. (a) topical (b) related (c) significant
- Tick the boxes that are relevant to you. (a) applicable (b) timely (c) germane
- The judge ruled that the evidence was not relevant. (a) up to date (b) material (c) suitable
- Her podcast feels very relevant this year. (a) timely (b) corresponding (c) applicable
- I have relevant experience in sales. (a) pertinent (b) direct (c) germane
Answers: 1. b. 2. a. 3. b (or “germane”). 4. a. 5. b – “direct experience in sales” (or name the job itself).
Quick answers
What is a formal word for relevant? Pertinent, or germane in legal and academic writing.
What is another word for relevant information? Pertinent information, related information, or useful information, depending on whether you mean connected or helpful.
What is another word for relevant experience? Directly related experience, applicable experience, or hands-on experience in a named field.
For another frequently overused word, see another word for issues.