Moot vs. Debatable: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Moot" refers to a point that is either irrelevant or too hypothetical to have practical implications. "Debatable" refers to a point that is open to discussion, argument, or uncertainty.
Key Differences
The terms Moot and Debatable are both related to arguments and discussions but have very different implications. When a point is moot, it is either irrelevant to the topic at hand or so hypothetical that it doesn't warrant practical consideration. In contrast, when a point is debatable, it is a subject that can be discussed or argued upon and may have various plausible perspectives or interpretations.
Moot usually comes into play when discussing legal matters or academic debates, often signifying an issue that may be of theoretical interest but has no practical consequence. Debatable is a broader term and can be used in casual conversations, academic settings, and formal debates. It signifies that the topic is not settled and is open for discussion or argument, thus inviting participation.
In terms of grammar, both Moot and Debatable are adjectives. The verb form for Moot is "to moot," often used to bring up a subject for debate or discussion, while the verb form for Debatable is "to debate," which involves discussing or arguing a particular topic. However, "mooting" often refers to discussing a topic that is either hypothetical or irrelevant, whereas "debating" involves discussing a topic open to differing opinions.
Lastly, Moot and Debatable are often used to evaluate the worthiness of discussing a subject. If a subject is moot, the implication is that discussing it is essentially a waste of time because it doesn't lead to any practical conclusions. If a subject is debatable, it means the conversation about it is open and could lead to various conclusions or deepen understanding.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Irrelevant or too hypothetical to matter
Open to discussion or argument
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Usage Context
Often legal or academic
Broader, including casual conversations
Grammatical Category
Adjective
Adjective
Verb Form
To moot
To debate
Implications
Discussion is pointless
Discussion is encouraged
Moot and Debatable Definitions
Moot
Not settled; unresolved.
The issue remains moot among experts.
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Debatable
Uncertain or questionable.
The accuracy of the data is debatable.
Moot
Subject to debate; arguable or unsettled
"It is a moot point whether Napoleon Bonaparte was born a subject of the King of France" (Norman Davies).
Debatable
Inviting opposing views.
The policy is a debatable issue.
Moot
Of no practical importance; irrelevant
"[He] was appearing as a goodwill gesture, since the competition was moot for him.
He had long ago qualified for inclusion in the games" (Mark Levine).
Debatable
Not definitively established.
Whether he's the best is debatable.
Moot
Not presenting an open legal question, as a result of the occurrence of some event definitively resolving the issue, or the absence of a genuine case or controversy.
Debatable
Open to discussion or argument.
The subject is highly debatable among scholars.
Moot
Of no legal significance; hypothetical.
Debatable
Likely to be challenged.
The decision was debatable, sparking protests
Moot
To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate.
Debatable
Being such that formal argument or discussion is possible.
Moot
Subject to discussion (originally at a moot); arguable, debatable, unsolved or impossible to solve.
Debatable
Open to dispute; questionable.
Moot
Being an exercise of thought; academic.
Debatable
In dispute, as land or territory claimed by more than one country.
Moot
(North America) Having no practical consequence or relevance.
That point may make for a good discussion, but it is moot.
Debatable
To debate; not fully proved or confirmed.
Those data are debatable: no one has been able to replicate them.
It's debatable whether he is the best candidate for the position.
Moot
A moot court.
Debatable
Able to be debated; up for discussion.
The lack of bonuses this year is not debatable.
Moot
A system of arbitration in many areas of Africa in which the primary goal is to settle a dispute and reintegrate adversaries into society rather than assess penalties.
Debatable
A topic that is open to debate.
Moot
(Scouting) A gathering of Rovers, usually in the form of a camp lasting 2 weeks.
Debatable
Liable to be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or contention; open to question or dispute; as, a debatable question.
Moot
(paganism) A social gathering of pagans, normally held in a public house.
Debatable
Open to doubt or debate;
If you ever get married, which seems to be extremely problematic
Moot
(historical) An assembly (usually for decision-making in a locality).
Debatable
Open to argument or debate;
That is a moot question
Moot
(shipbuilding) A ring for gauging wooden pins.
Debatable
Capable of being disproved
Moot
A whisper, or an insinuation, also gossip or rumors.
Na, I haven't heard a moot of it.
Haven't you heard the moot, mate? There are going to be layoffs.
Moot
Talk.
No, there's no moot of it on the streets.
There's some moot of charges, but nothing concrete yet.
Moot
(Australia) Vagina.
Moot
(West Country) The stump of a tree; the roots and bottom end of a felled tree.
Moot
A mutual follower on a social media platform.
Moot
To bring up as a subject for debate, to propose.
Moot
To discuss or debate.
Moot
(US) To make or declare irrelevant.
Moot
To argue or plead in a supposed case.
Moot
To talk or speak.
'Tis no boot to moot again of it.
Moot
To say, utter, also insinuate.
He could not moot the words.
Moot
(West Country) To take root and begin to grow.
Moot
(West Country) To turn up soil or dig up roots, especially an animal with a snout.
Moot
See 1st Mot.
Moot
To argue for and against; to debate; to discuss; to propose for discussion.
A problem which hardly has been mentioned, much less mooted, in this country.
Moot
Specifically: To discuss by way of exercise; to argue for practice; to propound and discuss in a mock court.
First a case is appointed to be mooted by certain young men, containing some doubtful controversy.
Moot
To render inconsequential, as having no effect on the practical outcome; to render academic; as, the ruling that the law was invalid mooted the question of whether he actually violated it.
Moot
To argue or plead in a supposed case.
There is a difference between mooting and pleading; between fencing and fighting.
Moot
A ring for gauging wooden pins.
Moot
A meeting for discussion and deliberation; esp., a meeting of the people of a village or district, in Anglo-Saxon times, for the discussion and settlement of matters of common interest; - usually in composition; as, folk-moot.
Moot
A discussion or debate; especially, a discussion of fictitious causes by way of practice.
The pleading used in courts and chancery called moots.
Moot
Subject, or open, to argument or discussion; undecided; debatable; mooted.
Moot
Of purely theoretical or academic interest; having no practical consequence; as, the team won in spite of the bad call, and whether the ruling was correct is a moot question.
Moot
A hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise;
He organized the weekly moot
Moot
Think about carefully; weigh;
They considered the possibility of a strike
Turn the proposal over in your mind
Moot
Of no legal significance (as having been previously decided)
Moot
Open to argument or debate;
That is a moot question
Moot
Subject to debate or dispute.
The moot point led to lengthy discussions.
Moot
Irrelevant to practical concerns.
The decision became moot after the event was canceled.
Moot
Hypothetical or purely academic.
It's a moot question since we can't test it.
Moot
Open for discussion in a moot court.
The case was made moot for educational purposes.
FAQs
Is Moot always irrelevant?
Not always; sometimes it refers to something that is merely hypothetical or academic.
What does Debatable mean?
Debatable refers to a point that is open to discussion, argument, or uncertainty.
What does Moot mean?
Moot refers to a point that is either irrelevant or too hypothetical to have any practical implications.
Is Debatable always uncertain?
No, it simply means that the point can be argued or discussed from various perspectives.
Is Debatable a legal term?
No, it is a general term used in various contexts.
Can Debatable be used casually?
Absolutely, it is often used in casual conversations.
What is the verb form for Moot?
The verb form is "to moot."
Is Moot a legal term?
It is often used in legal contexts but is not exclusively a legal term.
What is the verb form for Debatable?
The verb form is "to debate."
Can a point be both Moot and Debatable?
Generally, no; if a point is moot, it's not practically worth debating.
How do Moot and Debatable differ in academic settings?
Moot points may be discussed for their theoretical value, while debatable points invite differing opinions.
Is Moot always an adjective?
It is commonly an adjective but can also be a noun or verb depending on the context.
Can Moot be used casually?
Yes, though it often carries a formal or academic tone.
Which is more likely to close a discussion, Moot or Debatable?
Moot, as it often implies that further discussion is pointless or irrelevant.
Is Debatable always an adjective?
Yes, Debatable is primarily used as an adjective.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
