What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bickering
Example
The siblings were bickering over who gets to sit in the front seat. [bickering: verb]
Example
There was constant bickering between the neighbors about the noise levels. [bickering: noun]
arguing
Example
They were arguing about which movie to watch. [arguing: verb]
Example
The politicians engaged in a fierce argument during the debate. [argument: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Arguing is more commonly used than bickering in everyday language. Arguing is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while bickering is less common and specifically refers to continuous and petty arguments.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bickering and arguing?
While bickering is associated with a more informal and negative tone, arguing can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Arguing is often seen as a neutral term that can be employed in various formality levels, depending on the context.