adj
Common
convincing
kuhn-VIHN-sihng
Convincing (adj) means Able to make someone believe something is true; persuasive. Example: “The salesman gave a convincing demonstration of how the vacuum cleaner worked.”
adj
1
Able to make someone believe something is true; persuasive.
"The salesman gave a convincing demonstration of how the vacuum cleaner worked."
"She gave a convincing argument for changing the policy."
"His performance was so convincing that the audience forgot it was fiction."
How to use convincing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPersuasive enough to make people believe it.
Common pairings
a convincing argument
a convincing performance
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like convincing.
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
- convincings
- Comparative
- more convincing
- Superlative
- most convincing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The salesman gave a _____ demonstration of how the vacuum cleaner worked.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for convincing
See all rhymes for convincing →Frequently asked questions
What does “convincing” mean?
The word “convincing” means able to make someone believe something is true; persuasive. In plain terms, persuasive enough to make people believe it.
How do you pronounce “convincing”?
“Convincing” is pronounced kuhn-VIHN-sihng (/kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “convincing” in a sentence?
Here is “convincing” used in a sentence: “She gave a convincing argument for changing the policy.”
What part of speech is “convincing”?
“Convincing” is an adjective.
Is “convincing” a common word?
“Convincing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "convincing" and "convinced"?
"Convincing" describes something that persuades others, such as "a convincing argument," while "convinced" describes a person who has already been persuaded, as in "I am convinced." One acts on the listener; the other reports the listener's settled belief.
What is the difference between "convincing" and "persuasive"?
Both mean able to win agreement, but "convincing" emphasises making someone accept that something is true, while "persuasive" often emphasises moving someone to act or change their mind. An argument can be convincing because you believe it and persuasive because it prompts you to do something.
What nouns commonly follow "convincing"?
"Convincing" frequently describes "argument," "evidence," "case," "performance," "victory," and "explanation." In each, it signals that the thing is strong enough to make people believe or accept it.
Is "convincing" a positive or neutral word?
"Convincing" carries a positive judgement, indicating that the speaker found an argument, performance, or piece of evidence believable. It is neutral in register and appears comfortably in everyday speech, journalism, and academic writing.
