Skip to Content

Moot vs Mute? How Are They Different? When to Use Them?

Moot vs Mute? How Are They Different? When to Use Them?

When words are not pronounced the way they should be, they are likely to be confused with words with similar spellings and pronunciations. The terms “moot” and “mute” have a perennial tussle between them for this exact reason. So, how are “moot” and “mute” different?

The term “moot” means “irrelevant”. In specific other contexts, it could mean “debatable”. The word “mute” means “being silent”. The related yet distinct meanings of the two terms are major cues for using them in writings. Also, “moot” rhymes with “hoot”. “Mute” sounds more like “mewt”.

If your doubts about the two words – be it with their meanings or pronunciations – still exist, it’s imperative you read this article in its entirety.

moot word in keyboard

“Moot” – Definition

When a point is considered “moot”, it means it is “irrelevant or not about the current scenario”. An issue could be “hypothetical” and, therefore, could be “moot” or “not worth discussing” or “no longer important”.

In countries like Britain, however, the term “moot” is considered synonymous with “debatable” or “arguable”, which is the direct opposite of the word’s American meaning or usage.

“Moot” is a relatively ancient term, having originated around the 12th century. Back then, it meant “an assembly or meeting of people, particularly for legislative or judicial purposes”. It was also used to denote “the place where meetings were held”. Over a period, the term’s meaning changed and became known as “argument”, and then “litigation”.

If you were to merge the U.S. and British interpretations of the term, a “moot” point could be interpreted as a point that’s open to debate and discussion. However, the outcome of those discussions won’t be satisfactory, or the conclusion could be meaningless.

“Moot Point” – Meaning

The phrase “moot point” has been around since the 19th century. Back then, it only referred to “an unsettled matter”. After a few decades of being in use, the term began assuming a related meaning or “a matter that isn’t practically significant”.

This deviation in meaning can be attributed to a rhetorical trial’s outcome that won’t change a thing in the actual world. However, this latter sense is relatively new, which has become a lot more synonymous with the phrase than its original meaning.

“Mute” – Definition

The word “mute” means “totally silent” or “unable to speak”. The term doesn’t denote a “lack of feeling”. It merely signifies “non-expression”. In other words, a person who is “mute” has feelings or could have felt or experienced a thing. An individual is considered “mute” if they choose not to speak or if they cannot speak.

“Mute” also has a legal connotation. It could mean “refusing to stand trial or plead directly”. “Mute” can also refer to a device that’s inserted into or attached to a musical instrument for altering or softening the instrument’s tone.

Using the Word “Moot” in Texts

The expression “moot point” is relatively standard. As mentioned above, a “moot point” is a fact or piece of valid information that doesn’t apply to the existing situation.

A point can be “moot” in multiple scenarios. In some situations, it could hold “zero practical value”. In some other instances, the point could be “doubtful”. A “moot point” is also something that no one is either keen or likely to respond to, as the matter may have been discussed already.

A Legal Perspective

In legal texts, “moot” is also used in the phrase “moot court”. A “moot court” is where students of law practice arguments. It’s more like a dummy court.

If you were to tie the word “moot” to its “British” definition, a “moot court” is considered to be “a place where points get debated” and not “a place where pointless things are debated”.

Because the cases in a “moot court” were deemed “hypothetical”, the particular definition started to take precedence or dominating the original meaning of the word “moot”.

Here are a few sentences that use “moot” in the legal context:

  • The case is now moot as the defendant has paid the sum.
  • The statute of limitations will moot the effort.
  • The court ruled the issue to be moot as the people embroiled in the dispute are no longer alive.

On a lighter, non-legal note, if you are a fan of the sitcom Friends and thought Matt LeBlanc’s character Joey’s use of the phrase “moo point” was legitimate phrasing, you’re wrong because there is no such phrase.

mute spelled on grainy black surface

Using the Word “Mute” in Writings

The word “mute” is both a noun and a verb. When used as a verb, it means “to reduce, tone down, muffle, or eliminate the audio or sound of” a thing. For example:

  • She muted his audio as background noises were coming through.

To correctly use the word “mute” in texts, it’s imperative to ensure the feelings associated with a situation are not nullified. In other words, a “mute” person usually won’t fail to express themselves, despite not putting that in words. For example:

  • She put a hand on his left shoulder in mute sympathy.
  • His mute hostility was palpable.
  • She hugged him in mute sympathy.
  • I could make out a mute plea in her eyes.

As mentioned above, “mute” could also be used in sentences from a legal standpoint. For example:

  • The prisoner was standing mute.

The word “mute” denotes a “lack of speech”, but it could get misconstrued as “stillness” or “inactivity”. In other words, a “mute” individual or animal is inaudible, but they could still be at work. For example:

  • The wild dog usually hunts mute to get as close as possible to its prey before launching itself.

Some people choose to be “mute” as they believe it helps them communicate their feelings and thoughts better than actually speaking out. For example:

  • I stayed mute throughout the conversation as I didn’t feel the need to speak.

The Confusion Between “Moot” and “Mute”

The word “mute” has its standing in texts. But it usually gets confused with “moot” due to their similar spellings and almost identical pronunciations. And a lot of the credit for this confusion goes to the phrase “moot point”.

When first documented, the phrase’s meaning was not ambiguous. The definition did get altered a bit after a few decades. However, it’s spelling was not affected for more than a century. During the 1960s, the incorrect variant “mute point” started to pop up in writings.

Though the phrase “mute point” is almost universally shunned or viewed as incorrect by the literary society, it still manages to slip through into texts now and again, thanks to writers and readers who don’t know better.

To ensure these confusions do not arise, a few things must be learned and set straight.

Get the Pronunciations Right

The word “moot” rhymes with “hoot”, whereas “mute” is on the lines of “cute”, or it’s pronounced as “mewt”. This extremely minute discrepancy in their pronunciations can be discerned via some conscientious listening. Though few and far between, there are people who pronounce “moot” as “mute”, and that also contributes to the confusion between “moot point” and “mute point”.

The Meanings of the Terms

A “moot point” is pointless to discuss, and that’s akin to “shutting up” about it, which could be translated as “muting” the discussion. As a consequence of all this, “moot point” gets talked about as a “mute point”. Considering the meanings of the two phrases, “mute point” seems logical, but it is anything but correct English. In other words, “mute” isn’t a mutation of “moot”.

Example Sentences with the Word “Moot”

The following is a list of sentences that employs “moot”, taking the word’s American meaning or interpretation into account. However, some of the sentences may not seem to use “moot” that way. In those cases, “moot” could have been used considering its British connotation.

  • Since women in the state can legally take their shirts off in public, protesting about equal rights is a moot point.
  • I think she was wrong, but there’s no point discussing it now. The decisions have been made, and they cannot be changed now. It’s moot.
  • Whether that caused their miseries is a moot discussion.
  • Practically speaking, the issue with his application is moot as the deadline has already passed.
  • The firm ultimately mooted the issue.
  • Discussing this issue now is moot.

Example Sentences with the Term “Mute”

The word “mute” can be used either as an adjective or a verb. Here is a list of sentences illustrating that:

  • The state was a mute spectator as the events unfolded.
  • She covered her ears to mute the traffic.
  • He was long kept mute.
  • Press the mute button to silence the alarm.
  • The mute key is located a bit too close to the power key on the remote.
  • The lens mutes all light hues, except for yellow.

a moot point sign red and white

Conclusion

The terms “moot” and “mute” are not opposite in their meanings and spellings, but the two are distinct words, nonetheless. Both overlap each other or manage to confuse people with the phrase “moot point”.

If you know the meanings of the individual terms or are familiar with the phrase, you won’t make the error. And if you are a law student or legal professional, you’ll not use “mute court” in your texts.