debate

1.nounB1

Definition

an event or situation in which people present and exchange opposing views on a subject, often in a formal setting such as a meeting, a parliament, or a public forum.

Example

A serious debate about climate change took place at the town hall last night.

collocation: serious debate / heated debate

The debate over the new tax law continued in the Senate for three weeks.

debate + over + topic

Common collocations

heated debate
public debate
political debate
fierce debate
open debate

Synonyms

discussion
more general and less structured than a debate
argument
can be more emotional and less formal than a debate
dispute
suggests strong disagreement, often with a clearer winner and loser

Antonyms

consensus
general agreement, the opposite of opposing views

Grammar Patterns

debate + about/on/over + topic

debate + among/between + participants

Usage Note

Often implies a structured exchange where two or more sides express contrasting opinions, not merely casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

We had a debate about where to eat dinner.

We discussed where to eat dinner.

'debate' suggests a formal or structured exchange, not an everyday decision.

2.nounB1

Definition

a structured contest in which two sides take turns arguing for and against a given statement or proposition, with judges or an audience deciding which side presented stronger arguments.

Example

Andrés won first place in the national debate competition at his university.

collocation: debate competition / debate team

The school debate team practiced every evening for the upcoming championship.

Common collocations

debate team
debate competition
debate tournament
debate club

Synonyms

debate tournament
specifies a multi-round competition
contest
more general; a debate is a specific type of contest
competition
broader term; a debate is a verbal form of competition

Grammar Patterns

debate + on + topic

debate + between + teams

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 always refers to a formal competitive event with rules, judges, and a declared winner, not simply any discussion.

Common Mistakes

The class had a debate about the best pizza topping.

The class had a discussion about pizza toppings.

'debate' as a competition implies a formal contest with rules, not casual preference sharing.

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to take part in a formal discussion about a topic, presenting arguments for and against it, often in a public meeting, a legislature, or a similar setting where opposing views are heard.

Example

City council members will debate the new housing proposal at next week's meeting.

debate + noun phrase (new housing proposal)

Padma debated her opponent on the question of free public university tuition.

Common collocations

hotly debated
widely debated
debate an issue
debate a proposal

Synonyms

discuss
more neutral and less structured than debate
argue
can be more emotional and less formal than debate
dispute
emphasises strong disagreement more than debate does

Antonyms

agree
to share the same opinion rather than argue opposing views

Grammar Patterns

debate + noun phrase (a topic, an issue)

debate + whether/if + clause

debate + about/over + topic

Usage Note

Frequently used in academic and political contexts. Unlike the noun form, this verb can describe both formal events (council meetings) and less formal group discussions where different opinions are exchanged.

Common Mistakes

I debated with my friend about which movie to watch.

I talked with my friend about which movie to watch.

'debate' is too strong for casual personal choices; use 'discuss' or 'talk about.'

She debated him' (without specifying a topic).

She debated him on the issue of immigration.

a transitive use of 'debate' usually requires a topic.

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2

Definition

to think carefully about the different sides of a question or choice in your own mind before deciding what to do, weighing reasons for and against.

Example

Tendai is still debating whether to take the job in Tokyo or stay in Taipei.

debate + whether + infinitive

Cole debated with himself about which college major would lead to a better career.

Common collocations

debate with oneself
debate the pros and cons
debate whether to

Synonyms

weigh
more direct; 'weigh options' suggests comparing specific factors
consider
broader; can include debating internally but also other forms of thinking
deliberate
suggests slow, careful thought, often with others as well

Antonyms

decide
to reach a conclusion rather than continuing to think about options

Grammar Patterns

debate + whether/if + clause

debate + noun phrase (options, pros and cons)

debate + with + oneself

Usage Note

Unlike verb sense 1, this sense describes internal reflection rather than a conversation with others. The subject is usually a person facing a personal decision, and there is no external opponent.

Common Mistakes

She debated the math problem for an hour.

She thought about the math problem for an hour.

'debate' in this sense is about deciding between options, not solving problems.

Word family

debater
nounB2
debatable
adjectiveB2
debating
adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Discuss' is the most general term for talking about something with others, with no implication of opposition or formality. 'Argue' carries a stronger emotional or confrontational tone and may suggest anger or tension, whereas 'debate' implies a more structured exchange where opposing views are presented and defended, often with rules. 'Deliberate' suggests careful, thoughtful consideration, usually in a group setting, with the goal of reaching a decision together. For instance: a committee may discuss several approaches (neutral exploration), candidates debate tax policy on live television (structured opposition), friends argue about a sports match (emotional disagreement), and a jury deliberates the evidence before reaching a verdict (careful group consideration).

discuss ↗argue ↗debate ↗deliberate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

under debate
open to debate
subject of debate
spark debate
beyond debate

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'debate' comes from the Old French 'debatre', meaning 'to fight, contend, dispute', which was formed from the Latin prefix 'de-' (down, away) and 'battuere' (to beat, strike). The original meaning involved physical fighting, but by the 14th century it had shifted to verbal argument and discussion. This history explains why debate still carries a sense of opposing sides meeting in contest, even when the contest is verbal rather than physical.

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debate

debate — noun

1. an event or situation in which people present and exchange opposing views on a s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a structured contest in which two sides take turns arguing for and against a giv

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

debate — verb

1. to take part in a formal discussion about a topic, presenting arguments for and

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to think carefully about the different sides of a question or choice in your own

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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