argument
AHG-yuu-muhnt
Argument (noun) means a reason or set of reasons given to support a conclusion. Example: “Her argument was persuasive enough to change my mind.”
noun
1
A reason or set of reasons given to support a conclusion.
"Her argument was persuasive enough to change my mind."
"His argument for a shorter working week was based on clear evidence."
"I couldn't find a single good argument against the plan."
2
A heated disagreement between people.
"They had a huge argument over whose turn it was to cook."
"The neighbours had a loud argument over the garden fence."
"We had an argument about where to go on holiday."
3
In computing, a value passed into a function or command.
"The function takes two arguments: a name and an age."
"You must pass the file name as an argument when running the script."
"The command fails if you leave out the required argument."
How to use argument
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a case made to support a point, a quarrel between people, or (in programming) an input passed to a function.
Common pairings
make an argument
get into an argument
pass an argument
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Word forms
- Plural
- arguments
- Third person singular
- arguments
- Past tense
- argumented
- Archaic forms
- argumentest, argumentedst, argumenteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ was persuasive enough to change my mind.
Etymology
From Latin argumentum, from arguere, "to make clear, prove."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for argument
See all rhymes for argument →Frequently asked questions
What does “argument” mean?
The word “argument” means a reason or set of reasons given to support a conclusion. In plain terms, either a case made to support a point, a quarrel between people, or (in programming) an input passed to a function.
How do you pronounce “argument”?
“Argument” is pronounced AHG-yuu-muhnt (/ˈɑɹɡjʊmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “argument” in a sentence?
Here is “argument” used in a sentence: “Her argument was persuasive enough to change my mind.”
What is another word for “argument”?
Words with a similar meaning to “argument” include assertion, basis, contention, claim and proof.
What is the opposite of “argument”?
The opposite of “argument” — its antonyms — is recantation.
What part of speech is “argument”?
“Argument” is a noun.
Where does the word “argument” come from?
The word “argument” comes from Latin. From Latin argumentum, from arguere, "to make clear, prove.".
Is “argument” a common word?
“Argument” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between an argument and an opinion?
An opinion is simply a belief or preference — 'I think coffee is best.' An argument goes further, offering reasons and evidence to support a conclusion so others might be persuaded. An opinion states what you think; an argument tries to show why you think it, and why others should agree.
What are the parts of an argument?
A basic argument has two parts: one or more premises — the reasons or evidence offered — and a conclusion, the claim those reasons are meant to support. In a strong argument the premises are true and genuinely lead to the conclusion, so accepting the reasons means accepting the point.
What makes a good argument?
A good argument rests on true, relevant premises that logically support its conclusion. It should be clear, avoid contradictions, and address counterpoints rather than ignore them. Evidence strengthens it, while personal attacks or pure emotion weaken it. The test is simple: if the reasons hold, does the conclusion really follow?
What is an example of an argument?
'The bridge is unsafe because it has visible cracks, has failed two inspections, and carries more traffic than it was built for — so it should be closed.' The reasons given support the conclusion that it should close. That structure, reasons leading to a conclusion, is what makes it an argument.
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