What does argufying mean?
Argufying is the present participle and gerund of the informal English verb "argufy," meaning to argue or dispute, particularly in a persistent, niggling, or tiresome way. The word was formed in the seventeenth century by attaching the productive suffix "-fy" — from Latin "facere," meaning "to make" — to the existing verb "argue," creating a playful coinage that treats quarrelling as if it were a craft or occupation. In use, argufying suggests bickering over small matters rather than reasoned debate: neighbours argufying over a fence line, siblings argufying about chores. Its tone is generally light or comic, sometimes affectionate, and it belongs chiefly to colloquial and literary registers, appearing more often in British writing than American. Though rare in modern speech, it survives as a colourful alternative to plainer words like arguing, disputing, or wrangling, offering writers a vivid, slightly old-fashioned flavour when describing petty contention.
verbThe present participle and gerund of "argufy": to argue or dispute, especially in a persistent, contentious, or tiresome manner.
- To argue or dispute persistently or contentiously, especially about trivial matters.
- (Less commonly) To reason or discuss in order to persuade.
"They spent the whole evening argufying over whose turn it was to wash the dishes."
"The two old friends passed the afternoon happily argufying about politics."
"Stop argufying with your brother and come to the table."
Coined by simply bolting the verb-making suffix "-fy" onto "argue," "argufy" turns an ordinary quarrel into something almost comically industrious — as if arguing were a trade you could ply.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of argufying
Argufying derives from "argufy," a colloquial English coinage of the early-to-mid seventeenth century, formed by adding the suffix "-fy" (from Latin "facere," to make or do) to the verb "argue." The same suffix produced many English verbs borrowed or modelled on Latin forms, such as "justify," "verify," and "signify." Argufy has always carried an informal, often humorous register, and its participial form argufying inherits that tone.
Related word forms
How argufying is actually used
Informal and somewhat dated or dialectal; the word carries a mildly humorous or affectionate connotation, suggesting petty or good-natured squabbling rather than serious debate. It appears more in British than American usage and is largely literary or colloquial today.
Easily confused with argufying
"Arguing" is the standard participle of the common verb "argue," while "argufying" is a rarer, informal, often humorous or dialectal variant formed from "argufy."