What does pertinency mean?
Pertinency means the quality of being relevant, appropriate, or directly connected to a particular subject, question, or purpose. It is especially useful when discussing evidence, arguments, remarks, or investigations, because it draws attention not simply to whether something is true, but to whether it bears on the matter at hand. In legal and academic contexts, the word can imply that a point is materially or directly applicable rather than merely adjacent to the issue. For example, a lawyer may object to testimony by arguing that it lacks pertinence. The term is formal and somewhat uncommon, with pertinence often serving as its more familiar counterpart. It nevertheless remains useful in precise writing, particularly when distinguishing relevance from truth, importance, or general interest.
nounThe quality of being pertinent, especially of being directly relevant or appropriate to a particular subject or purpose.
- Relevance or direct connection to the subject under consideration.
- Appropriateness or suitability in relation to a particular purpose or context.
"The pertinence of the evidence was challenged because it did not directly address the issue under discussion."
"The judge ruled that the witness's testimony had no pertinence to the charges."
"She immediately recognized the pertinence of the warning and changed her plans."
Plural forms are possible but rare in modern usage.
"The author compares the pertinencies of two competing historical accounts."
A question can be true without being pertinent: what matters is whether it helps answer the issue at hand.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pertinency come from?
Pertinency comes through French from Latin pertinentia, a noun formed from the adjective pertinent, meaning relevant or appropriate. The underlying Latin root is pertinere, “to extend to” or “to be related to,” from per-, meaning “toward,” and tenere, “to hold.” The same root also underlies impertinent and the older sense of pertinence meaning persistence or stubbornness.
Related word forms
How pertinency is actually used
Pertinency is formal and comparatively uncommon in everyday English. The more familiar adjective pertinent and noun relevance are often preferred in modern usage.
Easily confused with pertinency
Pertinence usually means relevance or appropriateness, while pertinence can also suggest persistence or stubbornness in legal and historical contexts.
Pertinence is the noun meaning relevance or aptness, whereas pertinent is the adjective describing something that is relevant.