Word
argue
Phoneticsar·gue, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑɹɡju/
UK/ˈɑːɡjuː/
Definitions
01to disagree angrily
A2 · Elementary
v. to speak to someone in an angry way because you disagree with them.
v. to engage in a verbal dispute or quarrel, typically characterized by emotional intensity or interpersonal friction.
日本語:言い争う、主張する※
“The couple started to argue about whose turn it was to wash the dishes.”
“The neighbours frequently argue over the exact boundary of their properties, though neither has sought a professional survey to resolve the matter.”
Usage
Intransitive in this sense; usually takes 'with' for the person and 'about' or 'over' for the topic.
Pitfall
I argued my brother about the car.
I argued with my brother about the car.
When you have a disagreement with a person, you must use the preposition 'with'.
02to give reasons
B1 · Intermediate Academic
v. to give reasons for your opinion to try to convince other people.
v. to present reasons or evidence in support of a specific idea, action, or theory.
日本語:論じる※
“She argued that the city needs more parks for children to play in.”
“The lead researcher argued that the data clearly indicated a correlation between sleep quality and cognitive performance in older adults.”
Usage
Often followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'for' or 'against'.
03to suggest or show
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to show that something is probably true.
v. to provide grounds for a specific conclusion; to indicate or imply a certain state of affairs.
“The success of the project argues for a larger budget next year.”
“The sudden shift in consumer behaviour argues a deeper dissatisfaction with the current market leaders than previously suspected.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “argue” in context.
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin arguōder. Old French arguerbor. Middle English arguen English argue From Middle English arguen, from Old French arguer, from Latin arguere (“to declare, show, prove, make clear, reprove, accuse”), q.v. for more. Displaced native Old English flītan and reċċan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/argue
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0