pertinent

[pur-tn-uhnt]

adjective

1. pertaining or relating directly and significantly to the matter at hand; relevant.

   pertinent details.

   Synonyms: suitable, fit, fitting, applicable, appropriate
   Antonyms: irrelevant

pertinent

/ ˈpɜːtɪnənt /

adjective

1. relating to the matter at hand; relevant

Other Word Forms

• pertinently adverb
• pertinence noun
• pertinency noun
• nonpertinent adjective
• nonpertinently adverb
• unpertinent adjective
• unpertinently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertinent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin pertinent- (stem of pertinēns ), present participle of pertinēre “to be applicable, pertain”; pertain, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertinent¹

C14: from Latin pertinēns, from pertinēre to _pertain

Synonym Study

See apt.

Example Sentences

One form filed in 2001 regarding a Brooklyn brownstone bought for her family listed the property as having five units, but all the other pertinent forms stated correctly that it was four units.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Garner said the computer system was "designed to ask the most pertinent questions".

From BBC

Along with Target, five other major retailers announced recalls this week — including several particularly pertinent to shoppers who have Celiac or are gluten intolerant.

From Salon

What makes the question especially pertinent is that, with a few notable exceptions, little of significance happens in the first five months of a new presidential term.

From Los Angeles Times

To follow up, I asked whether Blumenthal specifically supported the two pertinent recommendations of the congressional commission.

From Salon

Related Words

• admissible 
• applicable 
• appropriate 
• germane 
• opportune 
• related