When you see argument and arguement side by side, only one is accepted in standard English. The extra “e” is a common typing habit, not a real spelling variant.
The Correct Spelling, Plain And Simple
Table of Contents
What The Words Mean
Argument is a real English noun with a few core meanings: a reasoned case for or against something, a discussion where people disagree, or an angry disagreement in everyday speech. ✅Source
In writing, argument often leans toward the reasoning sense (your case, your claim, your support). In conversation, it can lean toward the disagreement sense (two people going back and forth).
- Core Idea
- Argument = reasons meant to support a point, or a disagreement where those reasons get aired.
- Common Confusion
- Arguement looks like argue + -ment, but English spelling does not treat it that way.
Which Spelling Is Correct
✅ Correct argument is the accepted spelling in standard English, in formal and informal writing.
❌ Incorrect arguement is a nonstandard spelling that most dictionaries and editors treat as a misspelling of argument.
Small detail that matters: The “ue” sequence in argue tempts people to keep the e when they add -ment. In standard spelling, argument drops that extra letter.
Why The Mix-Up Happens
The arguement spelling usually comes from a pattern-guess, not from meaning. People see argue, then assume the noun keeps the same letters before -ment.
- Visual similarity: argue looks like it “should” turn into arguement by simple stacking.
- Pronunciation blur: In fast speech, the middle sound in argument is quick, so the spelling feels flexible.
- Auto-complete habits: Some keyboards learn your personal typo patterns and keep repeating arguement.
Word History and Why There’s No Extra “e”
Argument is not a freshly built modern form from argue + -ment in the way many people expect. Major dictionaries trace it through Middle English and French to Latin argūmentum, tied to the Latin verb meaning “to show or prove,” and they record its English use going back to the 14th century. ✅Source
That history explains the spelling feel: argument already comes with its own letter pattern, so modern English doesn’t “protect” the e from argue. The noun form is older than many of the spelling instincts people apply to it.
The “Argue + -ment” Trap
English has lots of -ment nouns, so the brain wants argue + -ment to behave like a clean formula. Argument doesn’t follow that shortcut, which is why arguement keeps showing up.
Meanings By Context
In everyday life, argument can mean a disagreement. In logic and philosophy, it’s more specific: a set of reasons offered in support of a conclusion. ✅Source
Some fields also use argument as a technical label (not emotional at all): math uses it for a function’s input idea, and grammar uses it for a noun phrase a predicate “needs.” Those senses sound niche, yet they’re standard in their disciplines.
| Context | Meaning | Realistic Example |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday talk | Disagreement or a tense back-and-forth | “They had an argument about the schedule.” |
| Writing / debate | A case supported by reasons | “Her argument for the change was clear and well supported.” |
| Philosophy / logic | Premises offered to support a conclusion | “The argument has two premises and one conclusion.” |
| Math | An input value or variable in a function’s expression | “In f(x), x is the function’s argument.” |
| Grammar | A required element tied to a verb or predicate | “In ‘She admired the painting,’ the object is an argument of the verb.” |
| Literature | A brief summary or the subject matter of a work (older usage) | “The poem’s argument is outlined at the start.” |
Grammar and Usage Patterns
Argument is flexible in grammar. It can be countable (“an argument,” “three arguments”) and it can also be uncountable when it means general disagreement (“There was a lot of argument in the room”).
- Singular usually points to one claim or one incident: “an argument for keeping it simple.”
- Plural often means multiple reasons or multiple points: “several arguments against the idea.”
- Prepositions are fairly stable: arguments for/against something, arguments about/over something.
- “No argument” is a set phrase meaning “no disagreement”: “On that point, there’s no argument.”
Spelling check detail: Most editors treat arguement as an error even in casual writing, while argument is accepted in all registers.
Specialized Uses
Programming
In programming docs, an argument is the value you pass into a function call. It’s the “input value,” distinct from a parameter, which is the name in the function definition. ✅Source
Math
In math, argument can mean an input to a function or a variable the function depends on. It’s a technical label, not a debate.
Grammar
In linguistics, arguments are the noun phrases a predicate requires (like subjects and objects). It’s about structure, not emotion.
Legal writing also uses argument in a very formal way: it can refer to the reasoning in written briefs, and it can refer to oral argument, the scheduled portion of a case where counsel presents and clarifies positions for the court.
In U.S. Supreme Court practice, the rules describe oral argument as a time to emphasize and clarify what’s already in the written briefs, which shows how “argument” can mean a structured presentation rather than a personal dispute. ✅Source
FAQ
Common Questions About argument and arguement
Is “arguement” ever correct?
Arguement is treated as a misspelling in standard English. The accepted spelling is argument.
Is “argument” American English or British English?
Argument is the standard spelling in both major varieties. Arguement is not a recognized variant.
Does “argument” always mean a fight?
No. Argument can mean a disagreement, but it also commonly means a reasoned case made with evidence or logic.
What is a “logical argument”?
A logical argument is a set of premises offered to support a conclusion. It’s about structure and support, not volume.
In programming, what is an “argument”?
In many programming contexts, an argument is the value passed into a function call, while a parameter is the named placeholder in the function definition.
What’s the difference between “argument” and “argumentation”?
Argument is the case (or the dispute). Argumentation is the broader process of forming and presenting arguments.