arguable
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++ar·gu·a·ble /ˈɑːɡjuəbəl $ ˈɑːr-/ ●○○ adjective 1 UNCERTAINnot certain, or not definitely true or correct, and therefore easy to doubt 无把握的，有疑问的 SYN debatable Whether or not Webb is the best person for the job is arguable. 韦布是不是这个职务的最佳人选尚待商榷。2 it is arguable that used in order to give good reasons why something might be true 有理由说 It’s arguable that the legislation has had little effect on young people’s behaviour. 可以说这个立法对年轻人的行为影响不大。Examples from the Corpus
arguable• In short, though not yet fully attained, political democracy had become respectable, and Socialism had become arguable.• Yet there are arguable benefits from practising selective assessment.• Counsel further contended that on the affidavit evidence the debtor has an arguable claim that the solicitors were negligent in two respects.• The two contentions can seem analogous, but the second concerns overt motive, the first a highly arguable interpretation.• If there are arguable points, the rules are clear.• Industry bosses oppose the new safety requirements because of the higher cost and arguable safety advantages.• It is arguable that married women no longer need the protection afforded to them by cases like these.• It is arguable that the provision does not apply to the transferor.• It is arguable that this interest has intensified under the present Conservative government.• Some items are frankly fakes; others are of arguable value.ar·gu·a·ble adjectiveChineseSyllable
or definitely not easy certain, true not therefore correct, or and Corpus
arguable
ar‧gu‧a‧ble /ˈɑːɡjuəbəl $ ˈɑːr-/
adjective1. not certain, or not definitely true or correct, and therefore easy to doubt
SYN debatable:
Whether or not Webb is the best person for the job is arguable.
2. it is arguable that used in order to give good reasons why something might be true:
It’s arguable that the legislation has had little effect on young people’s behaviour.
▪ controversial causing a lot of disagreement and angry argument, especially in the newspapers, on television etc: Abortion is a controversial subject. | The film was highly controversial at the time.
▪contentious formal likely to cause a lot of disagreement and argument : the contentious issue of immigration | These claims are highly contentious.
▪debatable/arguable used when you think that something is not certain and that people have different opinions about it, especially in the phrase it is debatable/arguable whether: It is debatable whether this book is as good as her previous novel. | It is arguable whether these measures will reduce the overall cost. | Does the treatment work? I think that’s debatable.
▪something is a moot point used when you think that something is not certain and that people have different opinions about it - a rather formal phrase: Whether this proposal will really reduce crime is a moot point.
ar‧gu‧a‧ble /ˈɑːɡjuəbəl $ ˈɑːr-/
adjective1. not certain, or not definitely true or correct, and therefore easy to doubt SYN debatable:
2. it is arguable that used in order to give good reasons why something might be true:
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