# persuasive

/pɝˈsweɪsɪv/ (US) · /pəswˈeɪsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/persuasive
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. convincing

adjective · CEFR B2

good at making you believe that something is true or making you want to do something.

For teachers: having the power or ability to convince someone to believe or do something through reasoning or use of temptation.

- The salesman gave a very persuasive speech about why we needed a new car.
- The lawyer presented a persuasive argument that relied heavily on forensic evidence rather than emotional appeals to the jury.

Usage: Commonly modifies nouns like 'argument', 'speech', 'evidence', or 'person'.

### 2. an incentive

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

something that encourages or pushes you to act.

For teachers: a thing that persuades or provides an incitement to action.

- The promise of a bonus acted as a persuasive for the staff to work harder.
- In classical rhetoric, the orator must identify the specific persuasives that will resonate most deeply with a skeptical audience.

Teaching tip: This noun sense is extremely rare in modern English; learners should almost always use 'persuasive' as an adjective.

## Examples

- She gave a very persuasive speech about climate change.
- The lawyer presented a persuasive argument that convinced the jury of his client's innocence.
- Despite the lack of physical evidence, her persuasive narrative of the events was so internally consistent that it swayed the entire committee.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.