debate
gb/dɪbˈeɪt/ us/dɪbˈeɪt/
B1
English
~ 1400
vita, megvitat, vitázik, mérlegel, fontolgat
NOUN
B1
1
vita
B1
Usage pattern:
a debate on/about [topic]
The candidates participated in a televised debate about climate change.
A jelöltek egy televíziós vitában vettek részt az éghajlatváltozásról.
There is an ongoing debate over the best way to improve education.
Folyamatos vita folyik arról, mi a legjobb módja az oktatás javításának.
The debate lasted for more than two hours, with both sides making strong points.
She won the debate with her clear and well-researched arguments.
Learner examples
We had a debate in class about school uniforms.
Az órán vitát tartottunk az iskolai egyenruhákról.
The debate was about the new law.
A vita az új törvényről szólt.
He joined the debate to share his ideas.
The debate ended after one hour.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'debate' with 'fight' or 'quarrel', but 'debate' is usually more formal and structured.
Meaning
formal discussion with opposing arguments
Collocations
heated debate
|public debate
|political debate
|debate topic
|debate moderator
Synonyms
discussion (More general; does not always imply opposing arguments.)
|
argument (Can be informal or emotional; not always structured like a debate.)
Antonyms
agreement (Indicates consensus rather than opposing viewpoints.)
Themes
politics
|education
|communication
Definition
A planned talk between people who have different ideas about something.
A formal discussion or argument on a particular topic in which opposing viewpoints are expressed.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to debate [topic] with [someone]
They will debate the new policy in parliament tomorrow.
Holnap a parlamentben megvitatják az új politikát.
We debated whether to expand the company's operations overseas.
Megvitattuk, hogy bővítsük-e a vállalat tengerentúli működését.
The students debated the pros and cons of nuclear energy.
Experts debated the causes of the economic crisis.
Learner examples
We will debate the problem tomorrow.
Holnap megvitatjuk a problémát.
They debated the plan in class.
Az órán megvitatták a tervet.
She likes to debate with her friends.
We debated about the new project.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes add 'about' unnecessarily after 'debate' when used transitively (e.g., 'debate about the issue' instead of 'debate the issue'). Both can be correct but usage differs.
Meaning
to discuss different opinions formally
Collocations
debate an issue
|debate a proposal
|debate publicly
|debate fiercely
Synonyms
discuss (More general; may be casual and without disagreement.)
|
argue (Can be more emotional or confrontational; not always formal.)
Antonyms
agree (To have the same opinion, removing the need for debate.)
Themes
communication
|education
Definition
To talk about something with someone when you have different ideas, usually in a formal way.
To discuss a topic in a formal or serious way, often presenting arguments for and against something.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to debate [whether/if] [to do something]
She debated whether to accept the job offer.
Mérlegelte, hogy elfogadja-e az állásajánlatot.
I am still debating if I should move to another city.
Még mindig mérlegelem, hogy elköltözzek-e egy másik városba.
They debated for hours before choosing a new leader.
Learner examples
I am debating if I should go.
Mérlegelem, hogy menjek-e.
She debated whether to call him.
Mérlegelte, hogy felhívja-e őt.
They debated what to do next.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the formal discussion sense, but here it refers to private thinking, not public arguing.
Meaning
to think carefully before deciding
Collocations
debate whether to go
|debate what to choose
Synonyms
consider (More general; does not imply weighing opposing arguments as strongly.)
|
ponder (More formal or literary; implies deep thought.)
Antonyms
decide quickly (To make a choice without careful consideration.)
Themes
thinking
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think about something before you decide what to do.
To think about something carefully, often weighing different options, before making a decision.
Grammar
Dictionary form
debate
IPA
GB/dɪbˈeɪt/
US/dɪbˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
de - bate (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (bate)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: debate
- Plural: debates
Verb
- Base: debate
- 3rd Person Singular: debates
- Present Participle: debating
- Past: debated
Word family
Forms
debates
noun
debating
verb
debated
verb
Core family
debater
noun
debatable
adjective
Advanced or less common
debatably
adverb
Expressions
debate team
1/dɪbˈeɪt tˈim/
fixed phrase
group for formal debating competitions
A group of students who take part in debates as a sport or school activity.
Examples
- She joined the school debate team last year.
- The debate team won first place in the national championship.
open to debate
1/ˈoʊpən tə dɪbˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
uncertain and arguable
Not certain and people can have different opinions about it.
Examples
- Whether this plan will work is still open to debate.
- His role in the project is open to debate among team members.
sparking debate
1/spˈɑɹkɪŋ dɪbˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
causing discussion and disagreement
Starting people talking and arguing about something.
Examples
- The new book is sparking debate among historians.
- His comments are sparking debate on social media.