arguear‧gue /ˈɑːɡjuː $ ˈɑːr-/ ●●● S2 W1 verb 
We could hear the neighbours arguing.argue with Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.argue about They were arguing about how to spend the money.argue over The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.GRAMMARReciprocal verbsArgue is a reciprocal verb. This type of verb is used when saying that two or more people do something that involves both or all of them: · He and the waiter started arguing. You can also say: · He and the waiter started arguing with each other.· He started arguing with the waiter.Patterns with argue• You argue with someone: · I wish you two would stop arguing with each other!• You argue about something or over something: · Let’s not argue about/over small details.2[intransitive, transitive] to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etcargue that Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops. It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.argue for/against (doing) something Baker argued against cutting the military budget. She argued the case for changing the law. The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug. They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.3argue somebody into/out of doing something British English to persuade someone to do or not do something: Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.4[transitive] formal to show that something clearly exists or is true: The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.5argue the toss British English informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed: There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.THESAURUSargue to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something: · Those two are always arguing.· We rarely argue with each other.have an argument to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing: · She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.have a row /raʊ/ British English, have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family: · She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.· The couple at the next table were having a row.quarrel especially British English to argue with someone, especially for a long time and about many different things: · The children quarrel all the time.squabble /ˈskwɒbəl $ ˈskwɑː-/ to argue about unimportant things: · The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.fall out with somebody British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them: · I’ve fallen out with my best friend.be at each other’s throats if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way: · His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.
WORD ORIGINargue
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French arguer, from Latin arguere ‘to make clear’VERB TABLE
argue
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | argue |
| he, she, it | argues | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | argued |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have argued |
| he, she, it | has argued | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had argued |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will argue |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have argued |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am arguing |
| he, she, it | is arguing | |
| you, we, they | are arguing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was arguing |
| you, we, they | were arguing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been arguing |
| he, she, it | has been arguing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been arguing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be arguing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been arguing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a well-argued case
- Don't argue with me, John. Just do what I tell you.
- Film makers themselves would no doubt argue that their films do not influence people's behaviour.
- He argued for changes to the tax system so that it assisted people who undertook training.
- Jim and Beth seem to spend all their time arguing.
- My kids spend more time arguing over the rules than they do playing the game.
- Senator Harvey argued strongly against taking any form of military action.
- She argued that taxes must be increased to pay for public services.
- The two men at the bar were arguing about politics.
- We could hear the neighbors arguing.
- And no one argued when he said he had become an embarrassment.
- Besides all this, we argue a lot.
- During oral arguments before the high court, attorneys for each state will argue that it alone should control the island.
- Gunther Zuntz, on the other hand, has argued for the exclusively Pythagorean identity of the tablets.
- Rolt argues that we must look beyond the present system altogether.
- The other approach has been to argue that rats have difficulty with passive avoidance because they can not remember recent events.
- Walter argues that the Convention guarantees compensation whenever a citizen is deprived of property.
THESAURUS
to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something: · Those two are always arguing.· We rarely argue with each other.
to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing: · She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.
British English, have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family: · She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.· The couple at the next table were having a row.
especially British English to argue with someone, especially for a long time and about many different things: · The children quarrel all the time.
to argue about unimportant things: · The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.
British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them: · I’ve fallen out with my best friend.
if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way: · His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.
Longman Language Activatorto argue if people argue , they speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something: · Jim and Beth seem to spend all their time arguing.argue with: · Don't argue with me, John. Just do what I tell you.argue about/over: · The two men at the bar were arguing about politics.· My kids spend more time arguing over the rules than they do playing the game.
if two people quarrel , they argue angrily and may stop being friends with each other: · Whenever my sisters meet they always end up quarrelling.quarrel with: · She left home after quarrelling with her parents.quarrel about/over: · The two brothers had quarreled over ownership of the farm.
to argue in an angry and violent way, especially with someone you know well: · Kerry's parents are always fighting -- I'm not surprised she left home.fight over/about: · Two men fighting over a parking space were arrested earlier today.· If you two don't stop fighting about what to watch I'm going to send you to your room.
also have a row British informal if two people have a fight or have a row , they argue very angrily and noisily: have a fight with: · April had a fight with her boyfriend and doesn't want to come out of her room.have a fight about/over: · Kelvin and his wife have endless rows over money.
British to stop having a friendly relationship with someone, because you have disagreed with them: · I think she's fallen out with her boyfriend.fall out with about/over: · Murray left the company after he fell out with the chairman over his salary.
if two people or groups are at each other's throats , they are always arguing in a very angry way because they cannot agree about something: · Congress and the President have been at each other's throats for so long that it's a wonder they can agree on anything.
if two groups of people clash , they argue publicly with each other about a particular subject -- used in news reports: clash with somebody: · Democrats clashed with Republicans last night in a heated debate about unemployment.clash over something: · France and Britain are likely to clash over the proposed space programme.
to argue about something very unimportant to argue noisily about something that is not really important -- use this especially about children or when you think someone is behaving like a child: · Oh, for goodness sake, stop squabbling, you two!squabble about/over: · The kids always squabble about who should do the dishes.
to continually argue about something unimportant in a way that annoys other people: · Whenever we go shopping together we always start bickering.bicker about/over: · The mayor and the town council spent most of Thursday bickering over how to balance next year's budget.
to argue in an annoying way about unimportant details, especially about whether something is exactly correct: · She said I owed her twenty dollars. I thought it was twenty-five but I wasn't going to quibble.quibble over: · Why quibble over whose turn it is to buy lunch? Split it, and forget about it.
to say that there is a difference between two things and argue about this, when really the difference is too small to be important: · Batard is a little sweeter than Chevalier but perhaps that's splitting hairs; both these wines are excellent.
to deliberately start an argument · I didn't want to start an argument, so I kept quiet.
also pick a quarrel British to deliberately start an argument with someone by saying something that you know will make them angry: · Just ignore him, he's always picking fights.pick a fight with: · Burton was at the bar, trying to pick a quarrel with a stranger.
to deliberately do or say something to make other people argue because you want to cause problems for them: · Just as we were beginning to get on with each other again, Jackie came and stirred things up.· Ignore him -- he's just trying to stir things up because he's jealous.
especially spoken to argue about something because you think it is important, even though other people may think you are being unreasonable: · I don't want to make an issue out of it, but that's the second time you've been late this week.· Although she was annoyed that Ian had given her secret away, she decided not to make an issue of it.
an argument when people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something: have an argument: · My sister and I had a terrible argument last night.argument about/over: · A 29-year-old man was shot and killed today after an argument over a gambling debt.argument with: · I'm sorry I'm not in a good mood. I had an argument with my husband this morning.get into an argument (=to start arguing, without intending to): · Phil got into an argument with a guy at the bar.
British a loud angry argument that continues for a short time between people who know each other well. Row is also used about a serious disagreement between politicians concerning important public matters: · There were always rows when my dad got home.· The World Trade Organization will give the two countries 60 days to end their row.row over: · The newspapers are full of stories about the continuing row over private education.blazing row (=a very angry, noisy argument): · The couple in the house next door were having a blazing row.big row: · A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.
an angry argument between people who know each other well: · a family quarrelquarrel with: · I was tired of these stupid quarrels with my parents.have a quarrel: · They had some sort of quarrel years ago, and they haven't spoken to each other since.
a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting angry: disagreement about/over: · There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.disagreement with: · Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss.disagreement between: · This bill will never be passed if disagreements between Democrats and Republicans aren't settled soon.
formal when two people, organizations, or countries publicly disagree and argue with each other about something important: dispute over/about: · The dispute over weapons inspections is likely to be the main topic of tomorrow's meeting.dispute with: · Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher.dispute between: · Representatives from both sides met late last night in an attempt to settle the budget dispute between Congress and the President.settle a dispute (=end it by agreement): · All efforts to settle the dispute have so far failed.
British informal a very bad quarrel or fight: · After the bust-up, I didn't see Rick for several weeks.have a big bust-up: · She and her boyfriend had a big bust-up over who was supposed to look after the kids.bust-up with: · Christie was involved in an angry bust-up with reporters and photographers outside the courtroom.
a very short argument between people or groups, especially in a formal or official situation such as a political meeting: · During angry exchanges in Parliament the Prime Minister said he would not change existing policies.heated exchange (=an angry exchange): · A series of heated exchanges between the two governments followed.
a serious argument that comes at the end of a period of time during which there has been a lot of disagreement and angry feelings: · Everyone in the office knew that there would be a showdown sooner or later, the way things were going.· The Senate moved toward another showdown with the President over the budget.
an unpleasant and often violent situation between two groups, especially families, in which people have been arguing for so long that they cannot remember the cause of it: · The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys raged for 20 years.· He has been accused of letting personal feuds affect his judgement.
an argument about something unimportant a noisy argument about something that is not important, especially between children: · Uncle Matt bought them a computer game to share, which led to endless squabbles.squabble about/over: · The kids are having their usual squabble over which TV show they're going to watch.
a short argument about something unimportant, especially between two people who are in love: have a tiff (with somebody): · Whenever she and Bernard had a tiff, Ari would go for a long drive to think about things.lover's tiff: · It was just a silly lovers' tiff -- we couldn't even remember why it had started.
a short angry argument, usually about something unimportant: · The girls were having a spat in the back of the car over who got to use the armrest.· It was just a little spat over who did the dishes last.
someone who likes arguing someone who is argumentative seems to like arguing and starting arguments. Quarrelsome is less common than argumentative and is used especially in written English: · When he drinks too much he becomes argumentative.· She had had enough of all her quarrelsome relatives.
speaking to people in a very direct way that is likely to cause an angry argument -- use this when you think someone is behaving unreasonably: · Some are worried that Beier's confrontational style will upset his staff.· In an attempt to improve his image, Stevens has decided to be less confrontational.
to stop arguing also make it up British especially spoken if two people who know each other well make up or make it up , they stop arguing and start being friendly to each other again: · I'm glad to see you two have made up.make up with: · Have you made it up with your sister yet?
if two people or organizations patch up or settle their differences , they stop arguing and discuss things in a sensible way until they come to an agreement: · Their final attempt to settle their differences ended in disappointment and separation.patch up your differences/settle your differences with: · Gary's first priority on his return home was to patch up his differences with his sister.
to agree to stop arguing and forgive each other, especially a long time after you first had the argument: · It's about time they buried the hatchet after all these years.· Since those two buried the hatchet, life in the office has been much quieter.
to talk calmly and seriously with someone about what you have been arguing about, in order to end the disagreement and feel better: · I think it's about time you called her to clear the air.· In an attempt to clear the air, Mills has planned a meeting with employees to discuss the issue.
behaving in a way that shows that you want to end an argument with someone: · The tone of my letter had been friendly and conciliatory, so I was disappointed by the cold reply I received.conciliatory gesture/message/tone etc: · American intelligence flights over Cuba had been stopped as a conciliatory gesture.
when two people, countries etc agree to stop arguing or fighting after a long period of disagreement, and have a friendly relationship again: · After years of fighting, there was now a spirit of national reconciliation in South Africa.reconciliation with: · Giles is not interested in a reconciliation with his father.reconciliation between: · A large group of demonstrators stayed up all night praying for reconciliation between the two countries.
when a bad situation or problem makes people argue if an unpleasant situation or problem causes or leads to an argument , it makes people argue: · Don't tell him about the money. It'll only cause an argument.· The cleaning rota always leads to arguments in our house.
if a bad situation or a problem comes between two people, it makes them argue, usually with the result that they stop being friends: · We were such close friends that I didn't think anything could come between us.· I was determined not to let my career come between us.
if a bad situation, a problem etc causes a rift between two people, it makes them have a small argument with the result that they are not as friendly as they were before: · The street fighting has caused a slight rift between the communities involved.· No one is quite sure about what caused the rift between the two actors.
to say clearly what your opinion is · She usually says what she thinks even if it offends her political colleagues.say what you think about/of · I'll make a few suggestions, and the rest of you can say what you think about them.
to say what you think, even though what you say might upset or offend other people: · She's very direct and believes in speaking her mind.· We thought that the process of filming might stop people from speaking their minds.
to say publicly what you think about something important, especially in a situation where it can be discussed: · Every Friday there is a meeting at the factory where the workers can air their views and discuss problems.· For a long time citizens were denied the right to air their views fully or to hold public debates.
to be allowed to say what you think about something, for example in a meeting or among a group of people: · You've had your say -- now let someone else speak.have your say about: · At a public meeting yesterday, environmentalists were finally permitted to have their say about the future of the ancient forest.
to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc, although other people are disagreeing with you: argue that: · She argued that taxes must be increased to pay for public services.· Film makers themselves would no doubt argue that their films do not influence people's behaviour.argue for (=argue that something should be done): · He argued for changes to the tax system so that it assisted people who undertook training.argue against (=argue that something should not be done): · Senator Harvey argued strongly against taking any form of military action.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding. She argued the case for changing the law. The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug. They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding. She argued the case for changing the law. The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug. They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.· His lawyers argued that the charges against him were baseless.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· This was nevertheless dependent upon his having something concrete to argue about.· And this is what we basically argued about. who we were.· For the last year they have been arguing about how to reverse this but they haven't done anything.· We argued about Bubba all the time, for months.· That told Maggie what her sister and brother-in-law were arguing about.· They used to argue about which condition was worse, each blessed with the energy which only the self-righteous possess.· The treatment of tendon injuries in competition horses is much argued about amongst horse owners and equine veterinary surgeons.· It is the first draft - one which the officials probably expected Ministers to beef up and argue about.
· It also argued for immigration controls and the repatriation of those immigrants without jobs or qualifications.· Fisher also argues that, even if you know for sure that a bear market will occur, selling is dumb.· Environmental groups also argue that overconsumption by the farmers has damaged many natural habitats in California.· She also argued that under the Fifth Amendment, the government owed her compensation for seizing property that was partly hers.· One may also argue that the situation was increasingly beyond her control.· They also argued that the evidence missing at the original trial showed that some one else could have masterminded the bombing.· They also argued that apparently similar outcomes can in fact be the product of a variety of different causes.
· Every clause had been argued over, it was all agreed.· Instead of economic insecurity, they argued over raising the federal minimum wage.· Although this has been argued over for fifty years, the size of this ancient catastrophe now seems incontrovertible.· They argued over how fast each car could go and what models were better than others.· Much of the Act was fiercely argued over because of the very real conflicts of opinion that exist in these areas.· That is something that can be argued over in specific instances.· Club officials spent half an hour arguing over who had the right to wear their first strip.· Defoe's talents of impersonation and habits of secrecy have left academics to argue over what he did actually write.
NOUN· In any case it is the role of the Reporter to present the evidence and argue the case before the Sheriff.· Tom and Goldie came to argue their own case.· It is a matter of practical importance that teachers can argue this case.· Michael Gilsenan argues the case against the war.· Brian Roberts argues a similar case for village planning in Durham.· The hon. Gentleman can not argue his case.· It was republicans who argued their case, not those who took monarchy for granted.· The former argues the case of viewing relations between central and local government in terms of tensions generated by uneven development.
· Secondly, some critics argued that the three-stage modular structure of part-time training recommended in the report might reduce flexibility in provision.· Conservative critics continued to argue that the purpose of college was the propagation and the pursuit of learning.· Rawls's critics argue that this attests to the irrelevance of his ideas.· Such critics have argued for the imposition of transaction taxes to choke off short-term capital flows.· The critics argued that for the same money they could promote a lot more lecturers to the middle rank of Reader.· With 500 missiles on board, an arsenal ship would become an inviting target for opposing navies, critics argue.
· Are undermined by others arguing back.· But, Gunn-Clissold said, others argued that there was little to lose.· And so Kendall and others have argued that their release was in fact in the Clintons' best interest.· Miller and others in the city argue that most -- about 60 percent -- of Pima County taxpayers live in the city.· We and others have argued world without end that that is the only way he can have a credible fiscal policy.
WORD FAMILYadjectivearguableargumentativenounargumentverbargueadverbarguably
1[intransitive] to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way: We could hear the neighbours arguing.argue with Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.argue about They were arguing about how to spend the money.argue over The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.GRAMMARReciprocal verbsArgue is a reciprocal verb. This type of verb is used when saying that two or more people do something that involves both or all of them: · He and the waiter started arguing. You can also say: · He and the waiter started arguing with each other.· He started arguing with the waiter.Patterns with argue• You argue with someone: · I wish you two would stop arguing with each other!• You argue about something or over something: · Let’s not argue about/over small details.2[intransitive, transitive] to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etcargue that Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops. It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.argue for/against (doing) something Baker argued against cutting the military budget. She argued the case for changing the law. The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug. They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.3argue somebody into/out of doing something British English to persuade someone to do or not do something: Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.4[transitive] formal to show that something clearly exists or is true: The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.5argue the toss British English informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed: There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.THESAURUSargue to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something: · Those two are always arguing.· We rarely argue with each other.have an argument to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing: · She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.have a row /raʊ/ British English, have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family: · She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.· The couple at the next table were having a row.quarrel especially British English to argue with someone, especially for a long time and about many different things: · The children quarrel all the time.squabble /ˈskwɒbəl $ ˈskwɑː-/ to argue about unimportant things: · The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.fall out with somebody British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them: · I’ve fallen out with my best friend.be at each other’s throats if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way: · His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.