Definition of PERTAIN

pertain

Verb

Verb Forms: pertained, pertaining, pertains

  • To relate to or be appropriate to something.
  • be relevant to
    • "My remark pertained to your earlier comments"
  • be a part or attribute of
  • To belong to or be connected as a part, adjunct, attribute, or accessory.
  • To relate to, concern, or be relevant to.
  • To apply; to be or remain in place; to continue to be applicable.
  • To be appropriate or suitable.

Examples

  • That question doesn't pertain to the topic, so I'm not going to answer it.
  • That spare wheel pertains to this car.
  • The rules PERTAIN to all players, regardless of skill level.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English pertenen, from Old French partenir, pertenir (modern French appartenir), in turn from Latin pertineō, pertinēre.

Synonyms

appertain, bear on, come to, concern, have-to doe with, refer, relate, touch, touch on, affect, apply, bear upon, befit, belong, impact, involve, pertain, regard, suit

Antonyms

be irrelevant, have no business, not concern

Scrabble Score: 9

pertain: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
pertain: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
pertain: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

pertain: valid Words With Friends Word