Words / B2

k-uh-n-VIKSHUN/kənˈvɪkʃn/

A conviction is a strong belief, or a court’s decision that someone is guilty: speak with conviction, a previous conviction. Belief is everyday for the first sense; certainty is close; guilty verdict is the legal paraphrase. Convict is the verb (legal) and also a noun for a person found guilty. In speech, a strong belief or found guilty is enough. Keep the two senses apart: a conviction about fairness is not a criminal record.

Meaning

A strong belief, or a decision in a court that someone is guilty.

Examples

• “She spoke with conviction. He has a previous conviction.”
• “She spoke with conviction, then showed the figures that justified it.”
• “A spent conviction still had to be declared for that post; the other sense is belief, not the court.”

Good to know

Strong belief, or a guilty verdict. Everyday: strong belief / found guilty. Verb/noun (law): convict. Keep moral certainty distinct from a criminal record.

Near in meaning

belief

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