# debate vs debt

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### debate
*verb · IPA /dɪˈbeɪt/ · frequency rank #2,288*
To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

### debt
*noun · IPA /dɛt/ · frequency rank #2,069*
An action, state of mind, or object one has an obligation to perform for another, adopt toward another, or give to another.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debate-vs-debt