English Dictionary

Definition of “germane

germane (dʒɜːˈmeɪnPronunciation for germane

Definitions

adjective

  1. (postpositive)  usually foll by to related (to the topic being considered); akin; relevant  ⇒ an idea germane to the conversation 

Alternative Forms

gerˈmanely adverb gerˈmaneness noun

Word Origin

variant of german²

Usage examples

  • Fenton was a good listener, and his questions were germane , though there were few that Piercey could answer with any conviction.
    Harcourt, Palma, A Matter of Conscience (1989)
  • However, to avoid overburdening the participants, we restricted ourselves to data that were germane to our hypothesis.
    British Medical Journal (2002)
  • But Nowhere in Africa is also burdened with an occasional voice-over narration that is not germane to what you see.
    Ottawa Sun (2003)
  • Should either Lambert or Matteo fail to be ready, Brown has more germane thinking to do.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Many explanations for this have been proffered over the years which are not, however, germane to our subject matter.
    Hope, Murry, Essential Woman - her mystery, her power (1991)

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