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. [irrelevant: adjective]
Example
The article contained a lot of irrelevant information. [irrelevant: adjective]
pointless
Example
Arguing with him is pointless, he never listens. [pointless: adjective]
Example
I find watching reality TV shows to be pointless. [pointless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irrelevant is more commonly used than pointless in discussions or arguments, while pointless is more commonly used in everyday situations. Both words are relatively common and can be found in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between irrelevant and pointless?
Both irrelevant and pointless are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
