Word
debatable
Phoneticsde·bat·able
US/dəˈbeɪtəbəɫ/
UK/dɪbˈeɪtəbəl/
Definition
adj. describes something that people do not agree on yet. You use this when there is more than one way to look at a situation and no clear answer.
adj. open to discussion or argument; not yet settled or clearly proven. Often used predicatively to suggest that a previous statement is questionable or subjective.
Examples
“Whether that was the right choice is debatable.”
“The actual impact of the new law on the local economy remains debatable among experts.”
“While the technical merits of the proposal are clear, its long-term social consequences remain highly debatable, requiring further longitudinal study before a final consensus can be reached.”
Examples
simple
“Whether that was the right choice is debatable.”
contextual
“The actual impact of the new law on the local economy remains debatable among experts.”
complex
“While the technical merits of the proposal are clear, its long-term social consequences remain highly debatable, requiring further longitudinal study before a final consensus can be reached.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'remain', or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“The fourth fastest car among the big four teams, it was debatable at times in the early races whether their car was even better than that of their junior team, Racing Bulls.” “Whether the Europa League football can yet be blamed is debatable.” Etymology
From Old French debatable (French débattable), equivalent to debate + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/debatable