arguendo
|ar-gu-en-do|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrɡjuˈɛndoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːɡjuˈendəʊ/
for the sake of argument
Etymology
'arguendo' originates from Latin, specifically from the gerund/gerundive form of the verb 'arguere' meaning 'to accuse, to make clear, to argue', with the '-ndo' form indicating 'by/for arguing'.
'arguendo' passed into Medieval and Legal Latin usage and was borrowed into English legal vocabulary as a fixed adverbial phrase used in briefs and opinions, retaining its Latin form.
Initially it meant 'by arguing' or 'in the act of arguing'; in modern legal English it has come to mean 'for the sake of argument' — i.e., 'assuming (arguendo) that X is true for the purposes of argument.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
for the sake of argument; assuming something for the purpose of discussion (often used in legal contexts).
Even arguendo that the defendant acted negligently, the plaintiff would still not meet the burden of proof.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/13 01:26