Used to express that a statement is open to debate or that reasonable people might disagree about it.
Formed from 'argue' plus the suffix '-ably' in the mid-20th century. The word 'argue' comes from Latin 'arguere' meaning 'to make clear' or 'to prove.' This adverb emerged as writers needed a way to present claims while acknowledging potential counterarguments.
Arguably is a fascinating linguistic hedge that actually strengthens an argument by showing intellectual honesty. When someone says 'arguably the best,' they're paradoxically making a stronger case than claiming 'definitely the best' because they acknowledge the complexity of the judgment while still asserting their position.
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