Relevent or Relevant: Which Is Correct?

"Relevent" is a misspelling of "relevant," which means being related to, associated with, or closely connected to something.

Something that is relevant is related or applicable to a particular situation, topic, or context. That means it is significant and has a direct bearing on the matter at hand.

Example of a real-life situation

For instance, imagine you are in a job interview for a graphic designer position. The skills and experience you discuss that are directly related to this position you are applying for are relevant to the interview.

For example, you may mention you are fluent in different design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and Adobe Photoshop, which are skills directly connected to the position. You may also mention your previous experience as a designer for other companies. These relevant qualifications are the ones that the interviewer is interested in because they pertain to the job you are seeking.

Why is "relevant" commonly misspelled?

"Relevant" is commonly misspelled because when pronounced by native English speakers, the "a" can sound more like an "e" at times. The second "e" in "relevant" can also easily sound like an "a" when spoken quickly.

Common misspellings of "relevant" include:

Relevent
Relavent
Relavant
Relvent
Relvant
Ralevent
Releavant

What part of speech is "relevant"

Relevant is an adjective.

Different forms of the word "relevant"

Below are different forms of the adjective "relevant" along with example sentences.

Relevance (noun): Refers to the quality of being relevant or the state of being pertinent to a particular topic or context.

The relevance of the research to the current discussion is crucial.

Relevancy (noun): A synonym for relevance, describing the quality of being appropriate or connected to a particular matter.

The relevancy of her comments in the meeting was appreciated.

Irrelevant (adjective): The opposite of relevant, indicating that something has no bearing or importance in a given context.

His comments were completely irrelevant to our discussion.

Irrelevance (noun): Refers to the quality of being unimportant or having no relevance to a particular topic or situation.

The irrelevance of his remarks frustrated the audience.

Synonyms of "relevant"

The following are some synonyms of the adjective "relevant." Although none of the synonyms have the exact same meaning and nuances as "relevant," they are great alternatives if you are looking to add variety to your writing.

Pertinent
Applicable
Related
Connected
Suitable
Admissible
Apposite
Fitting

The use of "relevant" across time

As shown in the Google Books Ngram Viewer graph above, the correctly spelled "relevant" is much more commonly used than the misspelled "relevent."

The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest known evidence for the adjective "relevant" is from 1516 in Wigtown Burgh Court Rec, which was during the beginning of the Modern English period. According to Google Books Ngram Viewer, however, "relevant" did not experience a surge of use until the 1900s, as seen in the graph above.

Root and origin or "relevant"

The root of the word "relevant" goes back to the Latin word "relevans," which means "to lessen, lighten." This meaning later progressed to mean "to help, assist, comfort, console," which is closer to the current meaning of the modern "relevant."

Example sentences

In a history class, it is important to study events that are relevant to the time period you are learning about.
The research findings were highly relevant to the discussion, providing valuable insights.
When writing a research paper, be sure to include only information that is relevant to your thesis.
Her presentation covered a wide range of topics, but only a few were actually relevant to the audience's needs.
In the courtroom, lawyers present evidence that is relevant to their case to support their arguments.
When preparing a job application, focus on highlighting skills and experiences that are relevant to the position.
In a debate, it is essential to address points that are directly relevant to the topic being discussed.
The new law is highly relevant to environmental protection and sustainable practices.
The teacher encouraged students to ask questions that were relevant to the day's lesson.
When solving a math problem, it is crucial to identify the relevant information and variables.

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