Word
moot
US/ˈmut/
UK/mˈuːt/
Definition
adj. describing something that is not worth talking about because it has already been decided or is no longer important. You use this when a point has no practical effect on the current situation.
adj. subject to debate or uncertainty; having no practical relevance or significance to a current situation. Often follows a linking verb such as 'be' or 'become'.
Examples
“The point is moot because the contract is already signed.”
“Whether we should have taken the train is now a moot point since we have already arrived by car.”
“The legal team argued that the defendant's previous testimony was moot, as the discovery of new physical evidence had rendered those specific verbal claims irrelevant to the final verdict.”
Examples
simple
“The point is moot because the contract is already signed.”
contextual
“Whether we should have taken the train is now a moot point since we have already arrived by car.”
complex
“The legal team argued that the defendant's previous testimony was moot, as the discovery of new physical evidence had rendered those specific verbal claims irrelevant to the final verdict.”
Usage
Commonly used in the fixed expression 'moot point'. In US English, it usually means 'irrelevant', while in UK English, it can still mean 'open to debate'.
Pitfall
a mute point
a moot point
Learners often confuse 'moot' with 'mute' (silent) because they sound similar, but 'mute' is incorrect in this context.
Real-World Examples
“One potential opportunity is their mooted move to the A-list haven of the Cotswolds, where they are believed to have spent time earlier this summer.” “A combined fee of £155m has been mooted for the pair.” Etymology
From Middle English mōt, ȝemōt, from Old English mōt, ġemōt (“meeting”), from Proto-Germanic mōtą, from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂d- (“to encounter, come”). Cognate with Scots mut, mote (“meeting, assembly”), Low German Mööt (“meeting”), Moot (“meeting”), archaic Dutch (ge)moet (“meeting”), Danish møde (“meeting”), Swedish möte (“meeting”), Norwegian møte (“meeting”), Icelandic mót (“meeting, tournament, meet”). Related to meet. The adjective derives from the noun.
From Middle English moten (“to speak, talk, converse, discuss”), from Old English mōtian (“to speak, converse, discuss”), from Proto-Germanic mōtijaną (“to meet, encounter”), a suffixed derivative of mōtą (“meeting”). Related to etymology 1. See also mutter (which is a frequentative of moot).
Unknown.
From Dutch moot (“piece”).
Clipping of mutual with humorously altered pronunciation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/moot