Word.ws English Dictionary

argument

Syllables: ar·gu·ment/ˈɑːɡjʊmənt//ˈɑɹɡjʊmənt/

argument noun: a fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

Noun

argument (countable and uncountable, plural arguments)

  1. (also, countable, figuratively) A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.
    • There is no greater, at leaſt no more palpable and convincing Argument of the Exiſtence of a Deity than the admirable Art and Wiſdom that diſcovers itſelf in the make and conſtitution, the order and diſpoſition, the ends and uſes of all the parts and members of this ſtately fabrick of Heaven and...1691, John Ray, “Psalm 104. 24. How Manifold are thy Works O Lord? In Wisdom hast thou made them all.”, in The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation. […], London: […] Samuel Smith...
    • Says Plowdon [i.e., Edmund Plowden], the whale so caught belongs to the King and Queen, “because of its superior excellence.” And by the soundest commentators this has ever been held a cogent argument in such matters.1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Stubb’s Supper”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, pages 446–447
    1. (also, figuratively) A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.
      • Consider the argument: / 15) I am hungry; therefore I am hungry. / Intuitively this should count as valid. But suppose we thought of the components of arguments as sentences, and suppose we imagine the context shifting between the utterance of the premise and the utterance of the conclusion....2001, Mark Sainsbury, “Validity”, in Logical Forms: An Introduction to Philosophical Logic, 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Blackwell Publishing, →ISBN, § 8, page 35
      • In ‘The Critic of Arguments’ (1892), [Charles Sanders] Peirce adopts a notion that is even closer to that of a propositional function. There he develops the concept of the ‘rhema’. He says the rhema is like a relative term, but it is not a term. It contains a copula, that is, when joined to the...2011 July 20, Edwin Mares, “Propositional Functions”, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, fall 2011 edition, archived from the original on 07 Aug 2020
  2. (countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.
    • Indeed, I cannot commend my life; for I am conſcious to my ſelf of many failings: therein, I know alſo that a man by his converſation, may ſoon overthrow what by argument or perſwaſion he doth labour to faſten upon others for their good: […]1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC; reprinted in The Pilgrim’s Progress as Originally Published by...
    • For if the Idea be not agreed on, betwixt the Speaker and Hearer, for which the Words ſtand, the Argument is not about Things, but Names.1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], “Of the Remedies of the foregoing Imperfections and Abuses”, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset...
  3. (countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.
    • If I would broach the veſſels of my loue, / And try the argument of hearts, by borrowing, / Men, and mens fortunes, could I frankely vſe / As I can bid thee ſpeake.c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
  4. (countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.
    • The neighbours got into an argument about the branches of the trees that extended over the fence.
    • Ar[mado]. Come hither, come hither: How did this argument begin.
      Boy. By ſaying that a Coſtard was broken in a ſhin,
      Then cald you for the Lenuoy [i.e. l'envoy].
      Clow[ne; i.e., Costard]. True, and I for a Plantan, thus came your argument in,
      Then the boyes fat Lenuoy, the Gooſe that you bought, and...c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby...
  5. (broadly, euphemistic, humorous) Any dispute, altercation, or collision.
    • Steve got in a physical argument with his neighbor and came away with a black eye.
    • While biking home, he got in an argument with the pavement.
  6. (countable) Any of the phrases that bear a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.
    • In numerous works over the past two decades, beginning with the pioneering work of Gruber (1965), Fillmore (1968a), and Jackendoff (1972), it has been argued that each Argument (i.e. Subject or Complement) of a Predicate bears a particular thematic role (alias theta-role, or θ-role to its...1988, Andrew Radford, “The Lexicon”, in Transformational Grammar: A First Course (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, published 1999, →ISBN...
  7. The independent variable of a function.
  8. The phase of a complex number.
  9. (also) A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.
    • The altitude is the argument of the refraction.
  10. A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.
    • Parameters are like labelled fillable blanks used to define a function whereas arguments are passed to a function when calling it, filling in those blanks.
  11. A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.
  12. (obsolete) A matter in question; a business in hand.
    • As neere as I could ſift him on that argument,
      On ſome apparent danger ſeene in him,
      Aimde at your highnes, no inueterate malice.1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597...
    • On, on, you Nobliſh Engliſh, / Whoſe blood is fet from Fathers of Warre-proofe: / Fathers, that like ſo many Alexanders, / Haue in theſe parts from Morne till Euen fought, / And ſheath’d their Swords, for lack of argument.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
  13. (obsolete) The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.
    • [I]n vttering the ſtuffe ye receiued of the one, in declaring the order ye tooke with the other, ye ſhall neuer lacke, neither matter, nor maner, what to write, nor how to write in this kinde of Argument.1570, Margaret Ascham, “To the Honorable Sir William Cecill Knight, Principall Secretarie to the Quenes Most Excellent Maiestie”, in Roger Ascham, edited by Margaret Ascham, The Scholemaster: Or...
    • Belike this ſhow imports the argument of the play.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604...
  14. (archaic, uncountable) Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.
    • [F]or louing me, by my troth it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her follie, for I will be horribly in loue with her, […]1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, Much Adoe about Nothing. […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act II...

Verb

argument (third-person singular simple present arguments, present participle argumenting, simple past and past participle argumented)

  1. (intransitive, nonstandard, obsolete, non-native speakers' English) To put forward as an argument; to argue.
    • [I]t is moſt certaine, that after Herodotus and other auncient writers, it is ſafer to call theſe [elephants' tusks] teeth, then hornes; and I will breefly ſet downe the reaſons of Philoſtratus, that will haue them to be teeth, and afterward of Grapaldus [i.e., Francesco Mario Grapaldi], Aelianus...1607, Conradus Gesnerus [i.e., Conrad Gessner]; Edward Topsell, “Of the Elephant”, in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes. […], London: […] William Iaggard, →OCLC, page 194
    • Both kneeling, and all the reſt of the Popiſh Ceremonies, may well be compared to the Brazen Serpent. […] I. Rainoldes [i.e., John Rainolds] argumenteth, from Hezekiah his breaking downe of the Brazen Serpent, to the plucking downe of the ſigne of the Croſſe.1637, [George Gillespie], “That the Ceremonies are Unlawfull, because They are Monuments of By-past Idolatry, […]”, in A Dispvte against the English-Popish Ceremonies Obtrvded vpon the Chvrch of...
  2. (intransitive, obsolete) To adduce evidence, to provide proof.
    • Albeit that it apperteneth to the apoſtolis, be the puiſtoun of God to tak ordour in all materis off debait cõcernyng ye faith, & ſpecialie to iterprete ye ſcripturis, as yat quhilkis had yͤ ſpreit of god, & wer yͤ trew kirk: It argumẽtis [argumentis] not yat vtheris, quha hes ꝯuenit [conuenit]...1558, Quintine Kennedy [i.e., Quintin Kennedy], chapter 5, in Ane Compendius Tractiue Conforme to the Scripturis of Almychtie God, Ressoun, and Authoritie, […], [Edinburgh]: [J. Scot], →OCLC...

argument meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Urdu

argument in Hindi

1. fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason
तर्क tark
2. process of reasoning
तर्क tark, दलील dalīl
4. verbal dispute; a quarrel
बिबाद bibād, बहस bahas, झगड़ा jhagṛā, विवाद vivād
9. subject or matter
विषय viṣay

argument in Tamil

வாதம், வாக்குவாதம், விவாதம், வாதாடல், சான்று, ஆதாரம்

argument in Marathi

4. verbal dispute; a quarrel
भांडण bhāṇḍaṇ, विवाद vivād

argument in Urdu

argument
بباد bibād, لڑائی laṛāī
argument, altercation, dispute
وواد vivād
argument, debate
بحث bahas
argument, altercation, controversy
تکرار takrār
More languagesFewer languages
argument in Bengali
তর্ক torko, ফিতুর phitur, যুক্তি jukti
argument in Telugu
వాగ్వాదము vāgvādamu, విభేదించు vibhēdiñcu
argument in Malayalam
വാഗ്വാദം vāgvādaṁ, വ്യവഹാരം vyavahāraṁ
argument in Kannada
ಬಕ್ಕುಡಿ, ವಾದ, ಯುಕ್ತಿ, ಸಮರ್ಥನೆ
argument in Punjabi
آہڈا āhḍā, ਤਰਕ tarak
argument in Sanskrit
विवाद vivāda, वाक्य vākya
argument in Nepali
उत्तर uttar
argument in Pashto
مجادله mujādalá
argument in Arabic
حُجَّة ḥujja, مُرَافَعَة murāfaʕa, جِدَال jidāl, مُجَادَلَة mujādala
argument in Malay
hujah
argument in Vietnamese
lý lẽ, lí lẽ, tranh luận, đối số

Examples of argument in a sentence

  • Consider the argument: / 15) I am hungry; therefore I am hungry. / Intuitively this should count as valid.2001, Mark Sainsbury, “Validity”, in Logical Forms: An Introduction to Philosophical Logic, 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Blackwell...
  • In ‘The Critic of Arguments’ (1892), [Charles Sanders] Peirce adopts a notion that is even closer to that of a propositional function.2011 July 20, Edwin Mares, “Propositional Functions”, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, fall 2011 edition, archived from the original...
  • I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent; but I felt that there was some justice in his argument.1816 June – 1817 April/May (date written), [Mary Shelley], chapter I, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. […], volume II, London...
  • In argument with men a woman ever / Goes by the worſe, whatever be her cauſe.1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […]...

All 40 example sentences with argument

Synonyms of argument

30 more synonymsFewer synonyms

Antonyms

All synonyms and antonyms of argument

Forms of argument

Noun
pluralarguments
alternative form (obsolete)arguement
Verb
third-person singular presentarguments
present participleargumenting
past participleargumented
pastargumented
second-person singular present (archaic)argumentest
second-person singular past (archaic)argumentedst
third-person singular present (archaic)argumenteth

Plural of argument: arguments

Origin of argument

From Middle English argument, from Anglo-Norman and Old French arguement, from Latin argumentum. The English word is analysable as argue + -ment. Doublet of argumentum. Displaced native Old English racu and ġeflit.

The obsolete senses are derived from Middle English argumenten (“to argue, discuss; to consider, reflect”), from Old French argumenter (“to argue”), from Latin argūmentārī (“to adduce arguments or proof, prove, reason; to adduce (something) as argument or proof; to conclude”), from argūmentum (“argument (for a position); evidence, proof; point, theme; thesis, topic; plot (in theatre)”) (see further at etymology 1) + -or (the first-person singular present passive indicative of -ō (suffix forming regular first-conjugation verbs)). The current sense is derived from the noun.

Words formed from argument

Phrases with argument

17 more phrasesFewer phrases

Questions about argument

What does argument mean?
Argument means a fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.
What is argument in Hindi?
Argument in Hindi is तर्क (tark), दलील (dalīl), बिबाद (bibād). See Argument meaning in Hindi.
How do you use argument in a sentence?
Consider the argument: / 15) I am hungry; therefore I am hungry. / Intuitively this should count as valid.
What part of speech is argument?
Argument can be a noun or a verb.
How do you pronounce argument?
Argument is pronounced /ˈɑːɡjʊmənt/ (UK).
What is the plural of argument?
The plural of argument is arguments.

Words near argument in the dictionary

  1. argulid
  2. argulids
  3. arguls
  4. Argumedo
  5. Argumedos
  6. argument
  7. argument form
  8. argument forms
  9. argument from design
  10. argument from ignorance
  11. argument from illusion

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: argument (page history and authors); argument (Tamil Wiktionary) (page history and authors); بباد (Urdu) (page history and authors); তর্ক (Bengali) (page history and authors); വാഗ്വാദം (Malayalam) (page history and authors); argument (Kannada Wiktionary) (page history and authors); آہڈا (Punjabi) (page history and authors); वाक्य (Sanskrit) (page history and authors); उत्तर (Nepali) (page history and authors); مجادله (Pashto) (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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