Word
arguably
Phoneticsar·guably
US/ˈɑɹɡjuəbɫi/
UK/ˈɑːɡjuːəbli/
Sentence adverb
Definition
adv. used when you want to say that something is probably true, even if not everyone agrees. It helps you make a strong claim while showing it is your opinion.
adv. used to qualify a statement by indicating that, while perhaps not universally accepted, a strong case can be made for its validity.
Examples
“This is arguably the best pizza in the city.”
“The new law is arguably the most significant piece of social legislation passed in the last decade.”
“While critics remain divided on the director's later works, his debut film is arguably the most influential piece of cinema to emerge from that specific artistic movement.”
Examples
simple
“This is arguably the best pizza in the city.”
contextual
“The new law is arguably the most significant piece of social legislation passed in the last decade.”
complex
“While critics remain divided on the director's later works, his debut film is arguably the most influential piece of cinema to emerge from that specific artistic movement.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “arguably” in context.
Verb
01. arguably constitutes
“The data arguably constitutes proof of a significant climate shift.”
adv + verb
02. arguably remains
“He arguably remains the most influential scientist of the century.”
adv + verb
03. arguably represents
“This discovery arguably represents a turning point in medical history.”
adv + verb
Adjective
04. arguably the best
“This is arguably the best performance of her career so far.”
adv + adj
05. arguably more effective
“The new policy is arguably more effective than the previous one.”
adv + adj
06. arguably most important
“Education is arguably the most important factor in social mobility.”
adv + adj
Usage
Sentence adverb — typically placed before an adjective or at the beginning of a clause to modify the entire statement.
Pitfall
It is arguably that he is the best.
He is arguably the best.
Learners often treat 'arguably' like 'arguable' or 'likely'; it should modify a specific claim or adjective rather than acting as a dummy subject complement.
Real-World Examples
“Halliday thinks the squad "shouldn't be that imbalanced this late into the transfer window" and reckons they need "three centre-halves, one left-back, two, arguably, three wingers".” “The difficulty, as the astronomer Sara Seager has written, is that “the first three factors … are measurable; the other four are not, and arguably never will be”.” “For all the power of the albums Fortner has recorded since, his most characterful work today is arguably with US singer Cécile McLorin Salvant.” “Toews’s mother, a Scrabble genius, remains indomitably cheerful despite her losses, and is arguably the heroine of the book.” Etymology
From arguable + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/arguably