Argument Meaning
Argument Definition & Usage
A verbal disagreement or dispute between two or more people, often characterized by differing opinions or strong emotions.
Examples
- "They had a heated argument about politics at the dinner table."
- "During the meeting, an argument broke out over the company's future direction."
- "I don't want to get involved in their argument; it's none of my business."
- "His argument with his brother lasted for hours over trivial things."
- "The argument between the neighbors over the fence height has been ongoing for weeks."
A set of reasons or evidence used to support a particular claim or position, often in a structured format to persuade or inform.
Examples
- "Her argument for why the new policy should be implemented was well-researched and persuasive."
- "In the debate, each side presented strong arguments to support their case."
- "The lawyer used a compelling argument to prove the innocence of his client."
- "The scientist's argument based on data was more convincing than the anecdotal evidence presented by others."
- "He provided a solid argument to justify the cost of the new project."
A value or input given to a function or method in programming, which affects its output or behavior.
Examples
- "You need to pass an integer as an argument to the function for it to run properly."
- "In this program, the argument passed to the function determines the result of the calculation."
- "The function accepts multiple arguments, which can be of different data types."
- "Make sure that all the required arguments are provided before running the script."
- "The program failed because it expected a string argument but received a number."
Cultural Context
The word 'argument' derives from the Latin 'argumentum,' meaning 'evidence' or 'proof,' and was used in rhetoric to denote the evidence used to persuade or argue a point. Over time, it expanded to include any verbal or written dispute. In modern usage, it is commonly associated with heated disagreements or discussions.
The Argument That Changed Everything
Story
The Argument That Changed Everything
It was a chilly afternoon when Emma and Jack found themselves in the middle of a heated argument. They had been friends for years, but their disagreement over the future of their startup was beginning to test their patience. Jack, passionate about taking risks, argued that they should scale up immediately. 'We’ve got the chance to dominate the market!' he insisted, pointing at a chart of market trends on his tablet. Emma, on the other hand, had prepared a counterargument. 'Rushing in without solid financial backing could destroy everything we've built,' she said, her voice steady but firm. The argument wasn’t just about the business; it was a clash of their personal philosophies. Jack believed in bold action, while Emma valued cautious planning. The argument went on for what felt like hours, with each person presenting evidence—financial reports, industry analysis, and even advice from mentors. Despite their differing views, neither was willing to back down. 'Your argument is based on hope,' Emma said. 'My argument is grounded in reality.' Finally, Jack stopped, his face flushed with frustration. 'I don’t know if we’ll ever agree on this, Emma.' But that night, after they had both cooled down, they realized something important. Both of them had valid points. Jack’s willingness to take risks could push them forward, while Emma’s careful approach could protect them from failure. They decided to combine their approaches—take a smaller, measured risk and then expand once they saw results. The argument had changed everything, not by resolving their differences, but by forcing them to find common ground. A week later, their first joint project was a success. The argument that had once seemed so divisive had led to the breakthrough they needed to move forward together.
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