argue
gb/ˈɑɹɡju/ us/ˈɑɹɡju/
B1
English
~ 800
veszekedik, érvel, érvekkel győzköd, érvekkel lebeszél, érvekkel rábeszél
VERB
B1
1
veszekedik
B1
Usage pattern:
to argue with [someone] about [something]
They always argue about money.
Mindig a pénz miatt veszekednek.
The couple argued late into the night.
A pár késő éjszakáig veszekedett.
We argued over whose turn it was to cook dinner.
Learner examples
I argued with my brother about the TV.
A tévé miatt veszekedtem a testvéremmel.
They argue every day about small things.
Mindennap apróságokon veszekednek.
She argued with her friend about the game.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'argue' meaning 'discuss' with 'argue' meaning 'fight'; in casual contexts, 'argue' often implies anger.
Meaning
Speak angrily in disagreement
Collocations
argue heatedly
|argue endlessly
|argue bitterly
|argue constantly
Synonyms
quarrel (Often more emotional and less reasoned; can be physical or verbal.)
Antonyms
agree (Indicates having the same opinion instead of opposing views.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|relationships
Definition
To talk to someone in an angry way because you do not agree.
To speak to someone in an angry or heated way because of a disagreement.
VERB
B2
2
érvel
B2
Usage pattern:
to argue that [clause]
She argued that the policy would harm small businesses.
Azzal érvelt, hogy az intézkedés ártana a kisvállalkozásoknak.
The lawyer argued for his client's innocence.
Az ügyvéd az ügyfele ártatlansága mellett érvelt.
Scientists argue that climate change is accelerating.
Learner examples
He argued that the plan was good.
Azzal érvelt, hogy a terv jó.
She argued for a new school bus.
Egy új iskolabusz mellett érvelt.
They argue that the rules are not fair.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'that' after 'argue' when introducing a statement, especially in formal writing.
Meaning
Give reasons for an opinion
Collocations
argue convincingly
|argue persuasively
|argue strongly
|argue coherently
Synonyms
contend (More formal; emphasizes stating a position strongly.)
Antonyms
concede (Means to admit that the other side is correct.)
Themes
communication
|education
|politics
Definition
To give reasons to show that your idea is right or another idea is wrong.
To present reasons or evidence to support or oppose an idea, action, or theory.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to argue [someone] into/out of [doing something]
I finally argued him into joining the team.
Végül sikerült érvekkel rábeszélnem, hogy csatlakozzon a csapathoz.
She argued me out of quitting my job.
Érvekkel lebeszélt arról, hogy felmondjak.
They tried to argue her into buying a bigger house.
Learner examples
He argued me into going to the park.
Érvekkel rábeszélt arra, hogy elmenjek a parkba.
She argued him out of buying the phone.
Érvekkel lebeszélte arról, hogy megvegye a telefont.
They argued her into joining the club.
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'into' or 'out of' when using this pattern, which changes the meaning.
Meaning
Persuade through reasoning
Collocations
argue someone into doing
|argue someone out of doing
Synonyms
persuade (Broader term; doesn't necessarily involve debate or opposition.)
Antonyms
dissuade (Means to persuade someone not to do something.)
Themes
communication
|influence
|education
Definition
To try to make someone agree with you by giving reasons.
To try to change someone's opinion by giving them reasons to think differently.
Grammar
Dictionary form
argue
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹɡju/
US/ˈɑɹɡju/
Syllables & stress
ar - gue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: argue
- 3rd Person Singular: argues
- Present Participle: arguing
- Past: argued
Word family
Expressions
argue the toss
1/ˈɑɹɡju ðə tˈɔs/
idiom
informal
Complain after decision made
To complain about or try to change a decision that is already final.
Examples
- The manager said no, so there's no point arguing the toss.
- He kept arguing the toss even after we explained everything.
argue with yourself
1/ˈɑɹɡju wˈɪθ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Debate internally about choices
To think about two different choices and try to decide between them in your head.
Examples
- I spent hours arguing with myself about whether to quit.
- She argued with herself before making the call.
play devil's advocate
1/plˈeɪ dˈɛvəlz ˈædvəkɪt/
idiom
argue against an idea to test it
to pretend to disagree with an idea, even if you agree with it, so that you and other people can test how strong the idea is
Examples
- I'm just playing devil's advocate here—what if we're wrong?
- Let me play devil’s advocate for a minute and question your assumptions.
- She played devil's advocate to see how strong his argument was.
- He likes to play devil’s advocate to make discussions more interesting.
- The lawyer played devil’s advocate to prepare her client for cross-examination.