B2adjectiveacademicsociety
US/dɪˈbeɪ.tə.bəl/
UK/dɪˈbeɪ.tə.bəl/
not certain or agreed on, because people can give good arguments for different views
In context
Whether social media does more harm than good is highly debatable.
It is debatable whether the new law will actually reduce crime.
The benefits of homework are debatable, since studies give mixed results.
Words that go with debatable
adverb + adjective
- highly debatableWhether this policy works is highly debatable.
verb + adjective
- it is debatable whetherIt is debatable whether tourism helps local people.
- remain debatableThe exact cause remains debatable.
adjective + noun
- debatable issueOnline privacy is a debatable issue for many users.
- debatable pointWhether cities are safer today is a debatable point.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
This is debatable that money brings happiness.Correct: It is debatable whether money brings happiness.