What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonrelative
Example
The color of the walls is nonrelative to the price of the house. [nonrelative: adjective]
Example
Bringing up his personal life is nonrelative to the issue we are discussing. [nonrelative: adjective]
irrelevant
Example
His comment was irrelevant to the topic we were discussing. [irrelevant: adjective]
Example
The information she provided was irrelevant to the case. [irrelevant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irrelevant is more commonly used than nonrelative in everyday language. Irrelevant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nonrelative is less common and typically used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonrelative and irrelevant?
Nonrelative is typically associated with a more formal tone, while irrelevant is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.