What does moots mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/moʊts/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To argue or debate the merits of an idea, proposal, or course of action, often in a leisurely or sporting manner, with no intention of actually deciding on the outcome.

Examples

• The team mooted several ideas for the new project, but ultimately decided on the first one.
• It’s great fun to moot out different scenarios and think about how they would play out.

Synonyms

• Argue
• Discuss
• Debate

Antonyms

• Absolve

Etymology

Moot originates from the Middle English word ‘mooten,’ meaning to assemble for a purpose, and is related to the Old English word ‘mōt,’ meaning a discussion or assembly.

Usage Notes

Moot can be used in formal or informal contexts, but its tone and connotation may vary depending on the situation. In academia, moot courts are formal debates where students argue cases in a mock trial setting.

Cultural References

In the novel “Crime and Punishment,” Fyodor Dostoevsky uses the term ‘mooting’ to describe the protagonist’s internal debates and moral struggles.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Moot point”: an issue that is arguable or debatable, but not necessarily relevant to the main discussion.

Related Words or Phrases

Related words include ‘discuss,’ ‘debate,’ and ‘argue.’

Collocations

Common collocations include ‘moot a proposal,’ ‘moot an idea,’ and ‘moot a hypothesis.’

Frequency of Use

Moot is a relatively formal term, used primarily in academic, legal, and business contexts. Its usage has increased in recent years with the rise of mock trials and debate competitions.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings include ‘moots’ (missing the apostrophe) and ‘moote’ (incorrect vowel sound).