argument

noun

(countable, also figuratively) A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

(countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

(countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.

(logic, philosophy) 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.

(countable, programming) A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.

(countable, programming) A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

(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.

(by extension, humorous or euphemistic) Any dispute, altercation, or collision.

(countable, linguistics) Any of the phrases that bear a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

(countable, mathematics) The independent variable of a function.

(countable, mathematics) The phase of a complex number.

(countable, mathematics) (also astronomy) A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.

(countable, obsolete) A matter in question; a business in hand.

(countable, obsolete) The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.

(uncountable, archaic) Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.

verb

(intransitive, obsolete, now nonstandard, non-native speakers' English) To put forward as an argument; to argue.

(intransitive, obsolete) To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

Roots

arguoargu- · Latin · make clear, prove

Synonyms for argument

argumentationn disputationn debaten contentionn contestationn controversyn logomachyn elenchus statementn polemicsn disputen rebuttaln argumentum objectionn assertionn

Synonyms & related words for argument

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of argument — including argumentation, disputation, debate, contention, contestation, controversy. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to argument

Explore words related to argument — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include arguing, polemicize, argumentive, outargue, arguer, counterargument, paralogist, argues. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for argument

Common synonyms for argument include argumentation, disputation, debate, contention, contestation, controversy, logomachy, elenchus — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does argument come from?

The word argument breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root argu-, from Latin arguo (“make clear, prove”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.