argument

American  

[ahr-gyuh-muhnt] / ˈɑr gjə mənt /

noun

• arguments
  plural

1. an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation.

   a violent argument.

2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate.

   They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.

3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons.

   I couldn't follow his argument.

4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point.

   This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.

5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.

6. subject matter; theme.

   The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.

7. an abstract or summary of the major points in a work of prose or poetry, or of sections of such a work.

8. Mathematics.

   1. an independent variable of a function.

   2. Also called amplitude. the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.

   3. the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates.

9. Computers. a variable in a program, to which a value will be assigned when the program is run: often given in parentheses following a function name and used to calculate the function.

10. Obsolete.

    1. evidence or proof.

    2. a matter of contention.

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argument British  

/ ˈɑːɡjʊmənt /

noun

1. a quarrel; altercation

2. a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate

   the argument on birth control will never be concluded

3. (sometimes plural) a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition

4. a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc

5. logic

   1. a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true

   2. formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises

6. logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism

7. maths

   1. an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function

   2. the amplitude of a complex number

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argument Idioms  

1. see under pick a quarrel.

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Usage

What is an argument? An argument is a spoken disagreement or altercation between two people, The argument between the couple began with a disagreement over who’s turn it was to empty the dishwasher. An argument is also a debate, as in The argument about whether or not to buy new playground equipment went back and forth for over an hour. An argument is a series of reasons, as in The debating team always prepared an argument on the importance of debating teams. An argument is also a theme or central argument, as in an essay. Example: The debate turned into a heated argument when the missing money was brought up.

Synonym Usage

Argument, controversy, dispute imply the expression of opinions for and against some idea. An argument usually arises from a disagreement between two people, each of whom advances facts supporting their own point of view. A controversy or a dispute may involve two or more people. A dispute is an oral contention, usually brief, and often of a heated, angry, or undignified character: a violent dispute over a purchase. A controversy is an oral or written expression of contrary opinions, and may be dignified and of some duration: a political controversy.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reargument
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• arguments
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of argument

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin argūmentum; see argue, -ment

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Explanation

An argument is a disagreement between two or more people, but it can also be a statement backed by evidence, like your argument that your school doesn't need a dress code. Argument comes from the 14th-century French word of the same spelling, meaning "statements and reasoning in support of a proposition." An argument can be a fact used as evidence to show that something is true, like a study that shows exercise improves certain health conditions — an argument for being more active. Argument also means "a discussion between people who have contrary views."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

argument arguments

And while you might think a stock-and-bond portfolio offers better protection against a big rise in inflation, that’s a shaky argument.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

The judge last month rejected the argument that because Inglewood is a charter city, one that operates under its own constitution, it should abide by the original development agreement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

There is an argument Newcastle are even yet to adequately replace forward Callum Wilson, who left the same summer as Isak after scoring 47 times in 113 Premier League appearances.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

When Ho-seok does come in and gets in an argument with Mi-ok, the woman keeps filming, until Ho-seok yells at her: Are we “amusing” to you?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

I started to give Daisy one heck of an argument about this.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Roy, with oral arguments scheduled for Nov. 3.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

As the talk flies and arguments re-emerge, a vital era of Black political and artistic liberation suddenly materializes in a packed living room — as if waiting to be evoked by a shared spirit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

Paramount, an online privacy case the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for last week.

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026

"It's so clear that Maradona didn't have any heart problems in 2020," Oneto said during closing arguments.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

No arguments shall be wanting on my part that can alleviate so severe a misfortune—or that may comfort you, under a circumstance that must be of all others the most afflicting to a parent’s mind.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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Related Words

• altercation
• bickering
• brawl
• clash
• controversy
• debate
• disagreement
• dispute
• exchange
• feud
• quarrel
• squabble

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