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Argument: meaning, definitions and examples

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argument

 

[ˈɑːɡjʊmənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in debate

a reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action, or theory

Synonyms

justification, rationale, reasoning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
argument

Used in a logical context where someone presents reasons to support a claim or position.

  • His argument for the new policy was very convincing.
  • In her essay, she provided a well-structured argument for renewable energy.
reasoning

Used when describing the process of thinking through something logically to form a conclusion or judgment.

  • Her reasoning for choosing that school was based on its excellent reputation.
  • The judge’s reasoning was clearly outlined in the verdict.
rationale

Used to explain the underlying reasons or principles behind a decision, idea, or action. It is often more formal and less confrontational than 'argument' or 'justification'.

  • The rationale behind the new policy is to improve efficiency.
  • He explained the rationale for his approach during the presentation.
justification

Used when someone is trying to explain or defend their actions, decisions, or beliefs, typically to show that they are reasonable or necessary.

  • She offered a justification for her late arrival to the meeting.
  • The company’s justification for the price increase was the rising cost of materials.

Examples of usage

  • He presented a compelling argument for his case.
  • Let's consider both sides of the argument before making a decision.
Context #2 | Noun

in mathematics

a value passed to a function, procedure, or operation

Synonyms

parameter, variable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
argument

Used in programming to refer to values or references passed to functions or methods when they are called.

  • Pass the number of items as the first argument to the function
  • The function takes two arguments: a string and an integer
parameter

Commonly found in mathematics, statistics, and programming, denoting a value that influences a system or function but is not a variable in the strict sense.

  • Adjust the parameters of the model to improve predictions
  • The function requires two parameters: a starting value and a step size
variable

Often used in mathematics, statistics, or programming to describe a quantity that can change or take on different values.

  • Define a variable to store the user's input
  • The experiment measured how the variable 'temperature' affected the growth rate of plants

Examples of usage

  • The function takes two arguments as input.
  • The equation requires the argument to be a positive integer.
Context #3 | Verb

in debate

to provide reasons or evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory

Synonyms

contend, debate, discuss.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
argument

Use when referring to a heated or disagreeing discussion where people express different opinions, often angrily.

  • They had a big argument about who should take out the trash.
  • The argument between the two friends escalated quickly.
debate

Use when referring to a formal discussion on a particular topic, where opposing arguments are put forward.

  • The debate over climate change has been going on for years.
  • They had a friendly debate about the best way to cook pasta.
discuss

Use when referring to talking about something in detail, often in a calm and constructive way.

  • Let's discuss our plans for the weekend.
  • We need to discuss the new project with the team.
contend

Use when someone is making a strong claim or assertion, often in a competitive or argumentative manner.

  • The lawyer contended that his client was innocent.
  • He contended that the policy would harm small businesses.

Examples of usage

  • She argued that the proposal was not feasible.
  • The students argued over the best solution to the problem.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'argumentum,' which means 'evidence' or 'proof.'
  • It made its way into Middle English in the 14th century, originally referring to proof used in debates.
  • The structure of an argument in philosophy can be traced back to ancient Greek thinkers like Aristotle.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers used structured arguments to explore fundamental questions about existence and morality.
  • The syllogism is a formal argument method developed by Aristotle, consisting of premises leading to a conclusion.
  • Some modern philosophers distinguish between deductive (certain) and inductive (probable) arguments in logical reasoning.

Psychology

  • People often stick to their opinions due to cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, leading to selective evidence gathering.
  • The process of arguing can actually enhance critical thinking skills, as it encourages examining different perspectives.
  • Emotions can heavily influence arguments; people may argue more passionately about emotionally charged topics.

Communication

  • Effective arguing involves clear communication, active listening, and the ability to empathize with opposing views.
  • Using respectful language can reduce defensiveness in arguments, promoting constructive dialogue.
  • Some communication specialists emphasize the importance of non-verbal cues, such as body language, in conveying arguments.

Pop Culture

  • Debates and arguments are central themes in many movies and TV shows, illustrating both conflict and resolution.
  • Online platforms often amplify arguments, allowing for rapid sharing of opinions, sometimes leading to heated exchanges.
  • Famous historical arguments include moments in political debates, which have shaped the course of history.

Translations

Translations of the word "argument" in other languages:

🇵🇹 argumento

🇮🇳 तर्क

🇩🇪 Argument

🇮🇩 argumen

🇺🇦 аргумент

🇵🇱 argument

🇯🇵 議論

🇫🇷 argument

🇪🇸 argumento

🇹🇷 argüman

🇰🇷 주장

🇸🇦 حجة

🇨🇿 argument

🇸🇰 argument

🇨🇳 论点

🇸🇮 argument

🇮🇸 rök

🇰🇿 дәлел

🇬🇪 არგუმენტი

🇦🇿 arqument

🇲🇽 argumento

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,222, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.