Words / C2

jur-MAYN/dʒɜːˈmeɪn/

Germane means relevant to the matter in hand — on the point, not a side track. Relevant is the everyday and almost always better word. Germane to the question / to the issue is the pattern, common in meetings and legal English. In conversation, stick to the point; germane can sound like you are chairing a committee. Do not use it as a fancy “related.”

Meaning

Relevant and appropriate to the subject being discussed.

Examples

• “Keep your examples germane to the question.”
• “Keep your footnotes germane to the claim, not decorative.”
• “His example was interesting but not germane to the motion.”

Good to know

germane to + topic. Formal for relevant. Everyday: relevant / on the point. Meeting/legal register.

Near in meaning

relevant

New