unrelated
The two events were unrelated, so the police investigated them separately.
The events had no connection to each other.
not connected or relevant to something else
Her job is completely unrelated to her hobby of painting.
Her job and hobby have no connection.
The two cases seemed unrelated at first glance.
The cases appeared to have no relationship.
Used to describe things that have no logical or causal connection.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'unrelated' vs. 'irrelevant'
While both mean 'not connected,' 'unrelated' emphasizes lack of a logical or causal link, whereas 'irrelevant' suggests lack of importance or pertinence. Example: 'His comment was unrelated to the topic but not necessarily irrelevant.'
Gold Rule
Use 'unrelated' for neutral disconnection
Use 'unrelated' when stating that two things have no connection, without implying judgment about their importance. Example: 'The two theories are unrelated, so they cannot be combined.'
Word Origin
From the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') + 'related' (past participle of 'relate'). First recorded use in the early 17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal and academic contexts to describe lack of connection between ideas, events, or subjects.