WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
per•ti•nent /ˈpɜrtənənt/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- pertaining to the matter being considered;
relevant:pertinent details.
per•ti•nent
(pûr′tn ənt),USA pronunciation adj.
per′ti•nence, per′ti•nen•cy, n.
per′ti•nent•ly, adv.
- pertaining or relating directly and significantly to the matter at hand;
relevant:pertinent details.
- Latin pertinent- (stem of pertinēns), present participle of pertinēre to pertain; see -ent
- Middle English 1350–1400
per′ti•nent•ly, adv.
- appropriate, fitting, fit, suitable, applicable. See apt.
- irrelevant.
'pertinence' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):