args (arguments)

In Python, *args is a special syntax in function definitions that allows the function to accept an undetermined number of arguments. When you prefix an argument name with an asterisk (*), that argument collects positional arguments into a tuple.

This feature is particularly useful when you’re not sure how many arguments might be passed to a function. The name args is just a convention. In practice, you can use any valid identifier after the asterisk, and using descriptive names is always recommended.

Using *args makes your functions flexible and adaptable to different input sizes. It allows you to write functions that can handle a variety of input scenarios without needing to know in advance how many arguments a user will pass.

Example

Here’s a simple example of how you can use the *args syntax in a Python function:

Python 
>>> def greet(*names):
...     for name in names:
...         print(f"Hello, {name}!")
...

>>> greet("Alice", "Bob", "Charlie")
Hello, Alice!
Hello, Bob!
Hello, Charlie!

In this example, the greet() function can take any number of people’s names, and it will greet each one.

Python args and kwargs: Demystified

Tutorial

Python args and kwargs: Demystified

In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to use args and kwargs in Python to add more flexibility to your functions. You'll also take a closer look at the single and double-asterisk unpacking operators, which you can use to unpack any iterable object in Python.

intermediate python

For additional information on related topics, take a look at the following resources:

By Leodanis Pozo Ramos • Updated March 6, 2025 • Reviewed by Martin Breuss
Python Glossary Share Feedback