ENGLISH
REFERENCE

conviction

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //kənˈvɪkʃən// UK //kənvˈɪkʃən// con·vic·tion

n. a very strong belief that something is true or right. It can also mean the official decision in a court that someone is guilty of a crime.

n. a firmly held belief or opinion; alternatively, a formal declaration by a court of law that someone is guilty of a criminal offence.


SIMPLE

She spoke with deep conviction about the need for change.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the lack of support from his peers, he held onto his conviction that the experiment would eventually succeed.

COMPLEX

The defendant's previous conviction for a similar offence significantly influenced the judge's decision to impose a more rigorous sentence during the final hearing.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From late Middle English conviction, from Anglo-Norman conviction, from Latin convictiō, from convictus, the past participle of convincō (“to convict”). Equivalent to convict + -ion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the quality of certainty in one's voice or manner; countable when referring to specific beliefs or legal verdicts.

Pitfall

He has a conviction about he is rightHe has a conviction that he is rightWhen expressing a belief, the noun is followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'of', not 'about'.

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