irrelative

[ ih-rel-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. not relative; without relation (usually followed by to ).
2. not pertinent; irrelevant.

irrelative

/ ɪˈrɛlətɪv /

adjective

1. unrelated
2. a rare word for irrelevant

Derived Forms

• irˈrelatively, adverb
• irˈrelativeness, noun

Other Words From

• ir·rela·tive·ly adverb
• ir·rela·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrelative¹

First recorded in 1630–40; ir- ² + relative

Example Sentences

I am interested for example in learning that such a “personality” trait as fear of the dark exists irrelative to patterns of child-rearing in the Mato Grosso or in Denver, Colorado.

From The New Yorker

He in his turn is interrupted by a third, with the enunciation of some favorite ideas of his, equally irrelative; and thus conversation becomes no conversation, but a contention for permission to speak a few hurried words, which nobody cares to hear, or takes the trouble to answer.

From Project Gutenberg

Irrelative, ir-rel′a-tiv, adj. not relative.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

If these three currents had remained irrelative to one another to the last; if, in other words, they had continued for long to belong specially to one of the three distinct and exclusive groups of the nation, then the historic revolution of the Meidji era would not have been effected, and Japan might be in a state but half medieval and half modern.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, but there was such a waste of time; p. 141all sorts of irrelative toasts obviously introduced merely for the purpose of affording mediocre aldermen and M.P.’s a chance of airing their vocabulary. 

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extraneous
• inconsequential
• meaningless
• trivial
• unimportant