pros and cons

American  

plural noun

1. the favorable and the unfavorable factors or reasons; advantages and disadvantages.

---

pros and cons British  

plural noun

1. the various arguments in favour of and against a motion, course of action, etc

---

pros and cons Idioms  

1. Arguments or considerations for and against something, as in We'd best weigh all the pros and cons before we decide to add a new wing to the library. This idiom is taken from the Latin pro for “for” and con for “against.” [Late 1500s]

---

Etymology

Origin of pros and cons

C16: from Latin prō for + con, from contrā against

Example Sentences

The key questions: What are the pros and cons of each, and which is better — a loan or a withdrawal?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick discussed the pros and cons of a deal with President Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Shaan says there are pros and cons to a ban.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

In mostly online communities, like-minded individuals discuss the latest research papers, weigh the pros and cons of therapies, and share their findings from the interventions they choose.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

I remember the woman who explained the pros and cons and price differences of various brands, how she measured my foot and told me I have an exceptionally narrow heel.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day