Pertinent

Practice This Word

Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; having to do with the topic at hand.

adjective

Pertinent

Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; having to do with the topic at hand.

adjective

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Imagine This

During a science conference Q&A, the presenter only cites data that is pertinent to the experiment being discussed, skipping off-topic anecdotes.

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Sounds Like

PER-tuh-nuhnt

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Looks Like

pertain + ent (looks like the related word pertain)

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Remember This

Pertinent comes from the verb pertain, meaning to relate or belong to something. It is commonly used to describe information, questions, or details that are relevant to the issue at hand.

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Other Forms

pertainverb

pertinencenoun

pertinentlyadverb

pertainingadjective/participle

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Connect With

relevant, germane, applicable, apropos, related

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Note

Use pertinent to distinguish relevance from mere importance. Pair with 'to' (pertinent to) or 'in' (pertinent in) as appropriate. Do not confuse with 'pertinacious' (stubborn) or 'important' (not necessarily relevant).

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Study Deeper

Examples

The lawyer argued that the new evidence was pertinent to the case.
Please include only the pertinent details in your report.

Synonyms

relevantgermaneapplicableaproposrelated

Antonyms

irrelevantextraneousunrelated

Etymology

From Latin pertinēns 'pertaining, relating,' from pertinēre 'to pertain, belong' (per- 'to' + tenēre 'to hold, grasp').

Mnemonic

Think: Pertinent = Pertains To the topic at hand. Visualize a document stamped 'PERTINENT' only when its content directly pertains to the matter being discussed.