What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irrelevant
Example
Your comment is irrelevant to the discussion we're having. [irrelevant: adjective]
Example
The article contained a lot of irrelevant information that didn't add anything to the story. [irrelevant: adjective]
meaningless
Example
The speech was full of meaningless platitudes and cliches. [meaningless: adjective]
Example
The gesture was well-intentioned but ultimately meaningless. [meaningless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irrelevant is more commonly used than meaningless in academic or professional settings, while meaningless is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between irrelevant and meaningless?
Irrelevant is generally considered more formal than meaningless, which can have a negative connotation and be seen as more casual or colloquial.
