adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpəːtɪnənt/
General-American:/ˈpɚtɪnənt/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:P ER1 T IH0 N IH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Important with regard to (a subject or matter); pertaining; relevant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: nonpertinent
2
noun
Meaning 2
A right that attaches to land, in Scots law.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images
an apt reply
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: apposite, apt
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective satellite
Meaning 4
having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a list of articles pertinent to the discussion
remarks that were to the point
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English pertinent, borrowed from Old French pertinent and Latin pertinēns, pertinentem.
Across languages
Translations
42 source translations are retained for this English entry.
