arguable
arguable Lexical Profile
arguable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Capable of being plausibly asserted, supported, or defended by reason and evidence.
"It is arguable that the invention of the printing press was the single greatest catalyst for modern literacy."
Open to disagreement, doubt, or dispute; not certain or settled.
"Whether the new economic policy will actually reduce inflation in the short term remains highly arguable."
Word Nuance & Usage
Because 'arguable' has two nearly opposite senses—either 'capable of being plausibly supported' or 'open to doubt and dispute'—context is essential; when used with an 'it is arguable that' clause, it usually means a claim can be reasonably defended, whereas before a noun (e.g., 'an arguable assumption') it often implies the point is questionable.
• Rhymes for arguable
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 17th century from the verb 'argue' (from Old French 'arguer' and Latin 'arguere', meaning 'to make clear, assert, or prove') combined with the suffix '-able'.