debater

Everyday

1. A person who takes part in a debate: a formal argument where speakers give reasons for and against an idea. tree →
2. Anyone who is good at arguing a point clearly with reasons. tree →

In the lessons

In school, debaters join a debate club or team and speak for or against a motion, such as «Homework should be banned»; a judge decides who argued better. In stories, a «good debater» is someone quick and clever with words. Phrases: «a skilled debater», «the debating team», «for and against».

Examples

• Maya is the best debater in our class. tree →
• Each debater had three minutes to speak. tree →
• The debaters on our team argued that school should start later. tree →
• A good debater listens to the other side carefully. tree →
• The judge praised both debaters for their politeness. tree →
• He is a fierce debater at the dinner table. tree →
• Our school's debaters won the regional final. tree →

Note

Countable noun: one debater, two debaters. Comes from «debate» + «-er» (drop the final «e» before «-er»). A debater does not always believe the side they argue; in contests the side is often given to them.