convict
kuhn-VIHKT
Convict (verb) means to find someone guilty of a crime in a court of law. Example: “The jury convicted him of fraud after a two-week trial.”
verb
1
To find someone guilty of a crime in a court of law.
"The jury convicted him of fraud after a two-week trial."
noun
1
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence.
"The escaped convict was recaptured within days."
How to use convict
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially declare someone guilty in court, or a noun for someone who has been so declared.
Common mistake
Stress shifts between the forms: the verb is con-VICT, the noun is CON-vict.
Common pairings
convicted of a crime
an escaped convict
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like convict.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- convicts
- Third person singular
- convicts
- Past tense
- convicted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The jury _____ him of fraud after a two-week trial.
Etymology
From Latin convictus, past participle of convincere, "to prove wrong, to convict" — the same root as "convince."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “convict” mean?
The word “convict” means to find someone guilty of a crime in a court of law. In plain terms, to officially declare someone guilty in court, or a noun for someone who has been so declared.
How do you pronounce “convict”?
“Convict” is pronounced kuhn-VIHKT (/kənˈvɪkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “convict” in a sentence?
Here is “convict” used in a sentence: “The jury convicted him of fraud after a two-week trial.”
What is another word for “convict”?
Words with a similar meaning to “convict” include adjudge, condemn, damn, deem, doom and judge.
What is the opposite of “convict”?
The opposite of “convict” — its antonyms — is acquit.
What part of speech is “convict”?
Depending on how it is used, “convict” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “convict” come from?
The word “convict” comes from Latin. From Latin convictus, past participle of convincere, "to prove wrong, to convict" — the same root as "convince.".
Is “convict” a common word?
“Convict” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How does the pronunciation of "convict" change between the verb and the noun?
As a verb, "convict" is stressed on the second syllable (con-VICT), meaning to find someone guilty of a crime in court. As a noun, the stress shifts to the first syllable (CON-vict), referring to a person who has been found guilty and is serving a sentence.
What is the difference between a "convict" and a "suspect"?
A convict is someone who has already been found guilty of a crime in a court of law and is serving a sentence, while a suspect is someone believed to have committed a crime but not yet tried or proven guilty.
What is the difference between "convict" and "sentence" as verbs?
To convict someone means to find them guilty of a crime in court, establishing that they committed the offense. To sentence someone is a separate step that follows conviction, in which the court decides the punishment.
