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debatable

A2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /dɪbˈeɪtəbəl/

US

  • /dəˈbeɪtəbəl/

Description

Something that's debatable isn't necessarily wrong—it just means reasonable people could disagree about it. Think of a really tough question in class, one where there isn't a clear right or wrong answer. That topic is debatable! It invites different viewpoints and arguments. A friend might say your taste in music is "debatable," meaning they don't share your enthusiasm but can see why you like it. Or the meaning of a historical event can be debatable if historians have different interpretations of what happened.

Examples

  1. 1

    Buying decision

    It's debatable whether the cheaper model is really a better deal.

    • Pattern

      it's debatable whether + clause

      people could reasonably disagree about it

  2. 2

    Conversational disagreement

    "That was the right decision." "That's debatable."

    • Phrase

      That's debatable

      I don't fully agree with that statement

  3. 3

    Report claims

    The report makes several debatable claims about the benefits of the new law.

  4. 4

    Sports decision

    The referee's final decision was highly debatable.

  5. 5

    Legal evidence

    In court, even a simple detail can become debatable if the evidence is unclear.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • debatableadjective