argue

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːgjuː/

verb (argues, arguing, argued)

  • 1 [reporting verb] give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one’s view: [with clause]: sociologists argue that inequalities in industrial societies are being reduced [no object]: he argued for extra resources [with direct speech]: ‘It stands to reason,’ she argued
  • [with object] (argue someone into/out of) persuade someone to do or not to do (something) by giving reasons: I tried to argue him out of it
  • 2 [no object] exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way: the two men started arguing in a local pub figurative I wasn’t going to argue with a gun [with object]: she was too tired to argue the point

Phrases

argue the toss

informal, chiefly British dispute a decision or choice already made: one person argued the toss for four hours before he agreed to pay

Derivatives

arguer

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French arguer, from Latin argutari 'prattle', frequentative of arguere 'make clear, prove, accuse'