Word
argumentative
Phoneticsar·gu·men·ta·tive, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɑɹɡjəˈmɛntətɪv/
UK/ˌɑːɡjuːmˈɛntətˌɪv/
Definitions
01prone to disagreeing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. often disagreeing with people or liking to start arguments.
adj. tending to argue or be fond of disputing; often carries a negative connotation regarding a person's temperament.
“He became very argumentative after a few drinks and started shouting at his friends.”
“The manager found the new employee difficult to train because he was reflexively argumentative whenever he received constructive feedback.”
Synonyms
02using logic and reasoning
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. showing a clear line of reasoning to prove an idea.
adj. relating to or characterized by the presentation of logical arguments or formal reasoning.
“The students had to write an argumentative essay about the benefits of renewable energy.”
“The professor praised the student's argumentative rigour, noting that each claim was supported by empirical evidence and sound logical transitions.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Late Middle English argumentatif (“syllogistic, sophistic”), from Old French argumentatif, argumentative (modern French argumentatif (“argumentative”)) and Medieval Latin, Late Latin argūmentātīvus, from Latin argūmentātor + -īvus (suffix forming adjectives).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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