adjective
pertinent
PUH-tih-nuhnt
adjective
1
Directly relevant to the matter at hand.
"She asked a pertinent question that got right to the heart of the issue."
"Please include any pertinent details in your report."
How to Use Pertinent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelevant and on-topic — the opposite of beside the point.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "impertinent," which means rude or disrespectful — nearly the opposite in feel despite the similar spelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pertinent information
pertinent question
pertinent to the discussion
Word Forms
more pertinent comparative, pertinents plural, most pertinent superlative
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She asked a _____ question that got right to the heart of the issue.
Etymology
From Old French pertinent and Latin pertinens, the present participle of pertinere ("to pertain, be relevant to").