French word

relativité

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəlativite/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrelativity

Example

La relativité dépend du contexte.

Relativity depends on context.

Illustration for relativité (relativity)

More examples

Quand on s'amuse, on oublie la relativité du temps.

When you're having fun, you forget the relativity of time.

Core concept

A quality that shifts with the comparison or context used to define it.

Similar words

contexte: The circumstances and conditions surrounding an event or remark.
rapport: A relationship or ratio between quantities or qualities.
nuance: A subtle difference between similar things.
perspective: A viewpoint shaped by a particular position or standpoint.

Definition in French

Caractère d'une notion qui prend sens seulement en comparaison avec un référent ou un contexte donné.

Word origin

Relativité was formed from French relatif with -ité, while relatif ultimately comes from Latin relativus, related.

Usage tips

  • French often expresses this idea conversationally with c'est relatif, while relatif must agree in forms such as une valeur relative.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word