moot and mute
Moot most commonly means debatable. It can also mean purely academic.
Mute most commonly means speechless or silent.
There are also corresponding verbs (to moot and to mute). More below.
Mute most commonly means speechless or silent.
There are also corresponding verbs (to moot and to mute). More below.
Moot and Mute
There is often confusion over the words moot and mute. Although they sound similar, their meanings are different.Moot
As an adjective, moot means open to discussion, debatable, or doubtful.- It is a moot point.
(This is the most common meaning of moot. Also, moot point is the most common term featuring the word moot.)
- It is a moot case.
(It could, for example, be a case set up so law students can practise court procedures.)
- I intend to moot this issue.
(I intend to present this issue for debate.)
- We ought to moot this issue.
(We ought to render this issue purely theoretical.)
Mute
As an adjective, mute means silent, speechless, refraining from speech, or quiet.- Shocked to the core, he was now mute.
- Bonzo looked at the diners from his basket with mute longing.
- It was an eerily mute village.
- The letter P is mute. (It's not pronounced.)
- He is a mute.
- Press the mute.
- It sounds awesome with the mute on.
- The sodden bed of pine needles muted her footsteps as she approached the stag.
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