argumentargument /ˈɑrgyəmənt/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 1
[countable] a situation in which two or more people disagree, often angrily: argument with I broke the vase during an argument with my husband.argument about/over We had an argument over who was at fault. Henning told the police she and her husband had an argument before he left. I got into an argument with the other driver. Shelton and the woman had a heated argument (=very angry argument).2[countable] a set of reasons that show that something is true or untrue, right or wrong, etc.: Rosa made a good argument.argument for There are many strong arguments for allowing cameras in the courtroom.argument against The pictures of black lungs are a compelling argument against smoking (=an argument that convinces you). The senator listed all the arguments in favor of gun control (=the arguments for gun control).argument that He’s making the familiar argument that poverty breeds crime.3[uncountable] the act of disagreeing or questioning something: Nathan accepted the decision without argument. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that you got sick. What would you do then? (=in order to discuss all the possibilities)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave an argument· I could hear my parents having an argument downstairs.get into an argument (also become involved in an argument formal)· She didn’t want to get into another argument about money.start/cause an argument· He was deliberately trying to start an argument.avoid an argument· I did everything I could to avoid an argument.win/lose an argument· The party hopes to win the argument about how to reform the health system.an argument breaks out· The men had drunk too much, and an argument broke out.an argument erupts (=a big argument suddenly starts)· A bitter argument erupted between the brothers over who should inherit the money.adjectivesa big/huge argument· There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house.a heated argument (=involving very strong feelings)· Someone was having a heated argument with a police officer.a bitter argument (=one that results in very bad feelings between people)· There are bitter arguments about whether he was a hero or a war criminal.a furious/fierce argument· As soon as she had gone a furious argument broke out.a violent argument· The singer was hurt in a violent argument with her husband.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa good/strong/powerful argument The ambassador made a strong argument against bombing the enemy.a persuasive/convincing/compelling argument (=one that makes you agree with it) The fact that many people hit their children is not a convincing argument for hitting as a form of discipline.a valid argument (=a good argument that is true) Both sides have valid arguments, and it is difficult to choose which is better.a weak/flawed argument His arguments in favor of the death penalty seemed weak to me.main argument The main argument for going to war was that we were attacked first.legal argument (=one that is used in a court of law) The judge said there is no legal argument that could convince him to hear the case.moral argument We believe there is a strong moral argument against allowing pornography on the Internet.closing argument (=final argument by one side in a court case) The jury is listening now to the prosecution’s closing argument.verbsmake an argument The king is making the argument that his military and police can handle the situation.advance an argument formal (=make an argument) The argument we are advancing is that the Internet should be free and open to everyone.present an argument formal (=make an argument in a court of law) Lawyers for both sides have presented their arguments to the court.support an argument (=give facts that show your argument is right) She supported her argument with recent research into teaching methods.hear an argument (=used to say a judge listens to an argument in court) Judge Maddox will be hearing arguments for the defense today.reject an argument (=used to say a court does not agree with an argument) The court rejected the government’s argument that the navy officer should have a shorter sentence because of his service to his country.
[countable] a situation in which two or more people disagree, often angrily: argument with I broke the vase during an argument with my husband.argument about/over We had an argument over who was at fault. Henning told the police she and her husband had an argument before he left. I got into an argument with the other driver. Shelton and the woman had a heated argument (=very angry argument).2[countable] a set of reasons that show that something is true or untrue, right or wrong, etc.: Rosa made a good argument.argument for There are many strong arguments for allowing cameras in the courtroom.argument against The pictures of black lungs are a compelling argument against smoking (=an argument that convinces you). The senator listed all the arguments in favor of gun control (=the arguments for gun control).argument that He’s making the familiar argument that poverty breeds crime.3[uncountable] the act of disagreeing or questioning something: Nathan accepted the decision without argument. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that you got sick. What would you do then? (=in order to discuss all the possibilities)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave an argument· I could hear my parents having an argument downstairs.get into an argument (also become involved in an argument formal)· She didn’t want to get into another argument about money.start/cause an argument· He was deliberately trying to start an argument.avoid an argument· I did everything I could to avoid an argument.win/lose an argument· The party hopes to win the argument about how to reform the health system.an argument breaks out· The men had drunk too much, and an argument broke out.an argument erupts (=a big argument suddenly starts)· A bitter argument erupted between the brothers over who should inherit the money.adjectivesa big/huge argument· There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house.a heated argument (=involving very strong feelings)· Someone was having a heated argument with a police officer.a bitter argument (=one that results in very bad feelings between people)· There are bitter arguments about whether he was a hero or a war criminal.a furious/fierce argument· As soon as she had gone a furious argument broke out.a violent argument· The singer was hurt in a violent argument with her husband.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa good/strong/powerful argument The ambassador made a strong argument against bombing the enemy.a persuasive/convincing/compelling argument (=one that makes you agree with it) The fact that many people hit their children is not a convincing argument for hitting as a form of discipline.a valid argument (=a good argument that is true) Both sides have valid arguments, and it is difficult to choose which is better.a weak/flawed argument His arguments in favor of the death penalty seemed weak to me.main argument The main argument for going to war was that we were attacked first.legal argument (=one that is used in a court of law) The judge said there is no legal argument that could convince him to hear the case.moral argument We believe there is a strong moral argument against allowing pornography on the Internet.closing argument (=final argument by one side in a court case) The jury is listening now to the prosecution’s closing argument.verbsmake an argument The king is making the argument that his military and police can handle the situation.advance an argument formal (=make an argument) The argument we are advancing is that the Internet should be free and open to everyone.present an argument formal (=make an argument in a court of law) Lawyers for both sides have presented their arguments to the court.support an argument (=give facts that show your argument is right) She supported her argument with recent research into teaching methods.hear an argument (=used to say a judge listens to an argument in court) Judge Maddox will be hearing arguments for the defense today.reject an argument (=used to say a court does not agree with an argument) The court rejected the government’s argument that the navy officer should have a shorter sentence because of his service to his country.