What does "relativity" mean?
The state of being relative to something else; the absence of universally applicable rules or standards; relativism; (countable) an instance of this.
Relativity
/ɹɛləˈtɪvɪti/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being relative to something else; the absence of universally applicable rules or standards; relativism; (countable) an instance of this.
- Grammar: relativity is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: relativity theory, theory of relativity, balance, coequality.
- Useful contrasts: absolute, absoluteness, absolutism.
- Usage evidence: Einstein's theory of relativity is Greek to me.
How to use "relativity"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "relativity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "relativity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "relativity" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being relative to something else; the absence of universally applicable rules or standards; relativism; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable, usually
- 2 the quality of being relative and having significance only in relation to something else wordnet
- 3 Ellipsis of principle of relativity (“the principle that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers”). abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, uncountable, usually
- 4 (physics) the theory that space and time are relative concepts rather than absolute concepts wordnet
- 5 Ellipsis of principle of relativity (“the principle that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers”).; Also Einsteinian relativity: the reliance of the nature of physical phenomena (such as gravity, light, mass, and time) on the relative motion between an observer and the thing observed, as developed by Albert Einstein in two theories, special relativity and general relativity. specifically, uncountable, usually
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 An evaluation of the similarities and differences between things; a comparison; hence, a difference in position or status between things; a disparity. countable, in-plural, usually
- 7 An evaluation of the similarities and differences between things; a comparison; hence, a difference in position or status between things; a disparity.; The difference in pay or positions between different employees in a business (internal relativity), or between different businesses (external relativity); a differential. countable, in-plural, specifically, uncountable, usually
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Einstein's theory of relativity is Greek to me."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "relativity"?
Common synonyms include: relativity theory, theory of relativity, balance, coequality, communion, community.
How do you use "relativity" in a sentence?
Einstein's theory of relativity is Greek to me.
How do you pronounce "relativity"?
Pronounced /ɹɛləˈtɪvɪti/.
Etymology
From relative (“connected to or depending on something else”) + -ity (suffix forming nouns from adjectives where the nouns refer to the properties, qualities, or states described by the adjectives). Sense 2.1 (“reliance of the nature of physical phenomena on the relative motion between an observer and the thing observed”) is a translation of German Relativität (“relativity”) used in the works of the German-American theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879–1955). Morphologically relative + -ity.