arguable

Something that is arguable isn't necessarily wrong—it simply means that a valid case can be made for it. Think of a court case: a lawyer's point might be arguable, meaning they have enough evidence or reasoning to present it to a judge, even if the other side disagrees. It implies that a statement is not a settled fact, but it is also not nonsense—it is capable of being argued.

You'll often hear "arguable" used when someone presents an opinion or claim. A statement like, "Pineapple belongs on pizza," is famously arguable! It is not a matter of absolute truth, but of taste, and you can build a reasonable defense for why the sweetness complements the cheese.

The word arguable is useful because it often sits somewhere between "true" and "false" in conversation. It describes a claim or idea that is open to debate, but for which good reasons can be given. It doesn't necessarily mean the idea is doubtful; rather, it suggests that there is evidence to support the viewpoint, even if others might challenge it.

You will often encounter the phrase "it is arguable that..." in academic or intellectual contexts. For instance, a historian might say, "It is arguable that the invention of the printing press was the most important event of the millennium." By saying this, they aren't presenting it as an unquestionable fact; they are saying a reasonable case can be made for it.

You may also see the related adverb arguably, as in "She is arguably the best player on the team," which means "it can be argued (perhaps convincingly) that this is true."

However, be careful with how you use it in everyday conversation. You wouldn't say, "That movie was arguable." Instead, you would say, "The quality of that movie is arguable." This implies that while some hated it, others could reasonably defend it as art.

It's also important to distinguish arguable from indefensible. Something indefensible is clearly wrong or unsupported by evidence. An arguable point, on the other hand, has a basis for support. So, when you encounter something described as "arguable," remember: it's an invitation to weigh the evidence, not a dismissal of the truth.