ENGLISH
REFERENCE

debatable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dəˈbeɪtəbəɫ// UK //dɪbˈeɪtəbəl// de·bat·able

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old French debatable (French débattable), equivalent to debate + -able.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'remain', or 'seem'.

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