debatable
Americanadjective
-
open to question; in dispute; doubtful.
Whether or not he is qualified for the job is debatable.
- Synonyms:
- disputable, arguable, dubious, questionable
-
capable of being debated.
adjective
-
open to question; disputable
-
law in dispute, as land or territory to which two parties lay claim
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of debatable
1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French. See debate, -able
Explanation
We know the sky is blue and the earth has one moon. But is there life on other planets? Such a question is debatable, meaning it is subject to disagreement or doubt. If you've ever seen politicians or anyone else have a debate, then you already have a pretty good idea of what debatable means. Something is debatable if there's reason to doubt it. If you say you're going to play in the NBA someday, but you're very short, your plans are debatable. Many issues, like how to create more jobs, are debatable because there isn't one correct answer to them.
Vocabulary lists containing debatable
Amal Unbound
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Cope Field
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Kwame Crashes the Underworld
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is debatable whether Microsoft should be allowed to hide the ball this way.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
But the chances of that coming to pass are debatable.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
There are a few examples that are debatable.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
For all that, the description of Musk as a trillionaire rests on the debatable value of SpaceX, which accounts — by Bloomberg’s estimate — for nearly 78% of Musk’s net worth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Still debatable are the origins of writing on Easter Island, in China, and in Egypt.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
