Arguably Meaning
/ˈɑːɡjuəbli/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
advAs can be supported or proven by sound logical deduction, evidence, and precedent, but without absolute certainty.
Sentence Examples
This place is arguably the best restaurant in London.
Bradford is arguably the ugliest town in Britain.
He is arguably the best actor of his generation.
CEFR Practice Quiz
This painting is ____ the most important work of the 20th century.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She is ____ the best tennis player in the world at the current moment.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Latin arguōder. Old French arguerbor. Middle English arguen English argue Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English arguable Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English arguably From arguable + -ly.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In the early 1770s the bogey figure for opposition politicians was arguably not so much North in the Commons as Mansfield behind the curtain, the country's greatest lawyer (and another Caledonian to gratify the Scotophobes) keeping an irresolute Cabinet committed to waging war in America."
— 2004, Barry Coward, Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theory in Early Modern Europe: From the Waldensians to the French Revolution:
"By random chance alone, 99 times out of 100, the Lions should have won an NFL or NFC championship. Worse for arguably the league’s unluckiest fan base, the Lions haven’t really been competitive."
— 2022 February 12, Harry Enten, “Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams: The unluckiest sports teams and other Super Bowl musings”, in CNN, archived from the original on 20 Aug 2025:
"To exploit travel economies of scale, RAIL buys a four-in-eight-day Rail Rover. This is now known as the 'Spirit of Scotland Travelpass', although older users may remember it as the 'Freedom of Scotland' - arguably a better name."
— 2025 March 5, “Ayr miles with a 'Spirit of Scotland'”, in RAIL, number 1030, page 43:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
This painting is ____ the most important work of the 20th century.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She is ____ the best tennis player in the world at the current moment.