- 1 [intransitive] to speak angrily to somebody because you disagree with them My brothers are always arguing. He's offering to pay so who am I to argue? argue (with somebody) (about/over something) We're always arguing with each other about money. argue with somebody I don't want to argue with you—just do it! Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbbitterly, fiercely, furiously, … prepositionabout, over, with, … See full entry See related entries: Anger
- 2 [intransitive, transitive] to give reasons why you think that something is right/wrong, true/not true, etc., especially to persuade people that you are right argue for/against something/doing something They argued for the right to strike. argue something She argued the case for bringing back the death penalty. He was too tired to argue the point (= discuss the matter). a well-argued article argue that… He argued that they needed more time to finish the project. It could be argued that laws are made by and for men. Language BankargueVerbs for reporting an opinion Some critics argue that Picasso remained a great master all his life. Others maintain that there is a significant deterioration in quality in his post-war work. Picasso himself claimed that good art is created, but great art is stolen. As Smith has noted, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art. As the author points out, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art. The writer challenges the notion that Picasso’s sculpture was secondary to his painting. It has been suggested that Picasso’s painting was influenced by jazz music. language bank at about, according to Language BankneverthelessConceding a point and making a counter-argument While the film is undoubtedly too long, it is nevertheless an intriguing piece of cinema. It can be argued that the movie is too long. It is nonetheless an intriguing piece of cinema. The film is undoubtedly too long. Still, it is an intriguing piece of cinema. Of course, huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie, but it is nevertheless a successful piece of storytelling. Critics are wrong to argue that the film’s plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists, but audiences will have no difficulty following them. It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script, but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent film. It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns, but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre. Language BankperhapsMaking an opinion sound less definite Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways. Phishing is perhaps/possibly/probably the best-known example of this. It seems/appears that the more personal data which organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this data to be lost or stolen. It seems clear that introducing national ID cards would do little to prevent identity theft. It could be argued that the introduction of national ID cards might actually make identity theft easier. It is possible that/It may be that the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbforcefully, passionately, strenuously, … verb + arguewish to, be prepared to, attempt to, … prepositionagainst, for, in favour/favor of, … See full entry
- 3[transitive] argue something (formal) to show clearly that something exists or is true These latest developments argue a change in government policy. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French arguer, from Latin argutari ‘prattle’, frequentative of arguere ‘make clear, prove, accuse’.Extra examples I would wish to argue that appreciation of the arts should be encouraged for its own sake. In her paper she goes on to argue that scientists do not yet know enough about the nature of the disease. It is possible to argue that the rules are too strict. Magda walked out of the room before her husband could argue back. She argued against a rise in interest rates. She’s always arguing with her mother. The general argued for extending the ceasefire. The report argues convincingly that economic help should be given to these countries. They argue endlessly about money. They argued in favour of stricter punishments. They were arguing over who should have the car that day. You could easily argue that this policy will have no effect. He was too tired to argue the point. He’s offering to pay, so who am I to argue? I don’t want to argue with you—just do it! It could be argued that laws are made by and for men. She argued that they needed more time to finish the project. We’re always arguing with each other about money. You two are always arguing.Idioms
verb jump to other results
BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuː//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuː//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they argue BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuː//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuː//
he / she / it argues BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuːz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuːz//
past simple argued BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuːd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuːd//
past participle argued BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuːd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuːd//
-ing form arguing BrE BrE//ˈɑːɡjuːɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɑːrɡjuːɪŋ//
Anger(British English, informal) to continue to disagree about a decision, especially when it is too late to change it or it is not very important Phrasal Verbsargue into doingargue with
Check pronunciation: argue
