conviction
A conviction is when a court decides someone is guilty, or it is a very strong belief you have.
Explanation at your level:
A conviction is a word for when a judge says someone did something bad. It is also a word for a very strong belief. If you think something is 100% true, that is your conviction.
When someone is found guilty in court, it is called a conviction. You can also use this word for beliefs. If you have a conviction, you really believe in your idea. It is like being very sure about something.
A conviction is a legal term for being found guilty of a crime. However, it is also used to describe a firm belief. People who have strong opinions that they really care about are said to have convictions. It shows you are passionate and certain.
The word conviction carries two distinct meanings. In law, it refers to a formal verdict of guilt. In a personal sense, it refers to a deep-seated belief. When you speak with conviction, you demonstrate that your words are backed by genuine, unwavering certainty.
Beyond the legal definition of a verdict, conviction denotes a profound internal state of certainty. It implies that one's beliefs are not merely superficial but are integrated into one's character. Whether in academic debates or moral discourse, having a conviction suggests an intellectual and emotional commitment that resists easy contradiction.
Etymologically derived from the Latin 'convincere,' conviction captures the essence of 'conquering' doubt. It is a term used to describe a person's moral compass or their definitive legal status. In literary contexts, it often explores the tension between personal truth and societal judgment, highlighting how deeply held beliefs can define an individual's legacy.
30秒でわかる単語
- Legal: A formal declaration of guilt.
- Personal: A strong, unshakable belief.
- Etymology: From Latin 'to conquer'.
- Usage: Formal and serious contexts.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word conviction. It is a really interesting word because it has two totally different sides depending on where you are using it.
First, think of a courtroom. When a judge or jury decides that someone is guilty of a crime, that formal decision is called a conviction. It is a serious legal term that marks the end of a trial process.
On the other hand, conviction describes a feeling. If you have a conviction, it means you have a very strong, deep-seated belief about something. You aren't just guessing; you are 100% sure that your opinion is right. It is that 'gut feeling' that you are willing to stand up for, even if others disagree with you.
The word conviction comes from the Latin word convictio, which is related to the verb convincere. This Latin root literally means 'to overcome' or 'to conquer'.
Originally, in the legal sense, it meant to 'conquer' someone in an argument or a trial by proving they were guilty. Over time, the word expanded. By the 16th century, it began to be used to describe the internal process of being 'convinced' of a truth.
It is fascinating to see how a word that started as a way to describe winning a legal battle evolved into a way to describe winning an internal battle of belief. When you have a conviction today, you have essentially 'conquered' your own doubts!
You will hear conviction in both formal and informal settings. In news reports, you might hear, 'The suspect has a prior conviction,' which means they have been found guilty before.
In everyday conversation, you might say, 'She spoke with great conviction.' This tells people that she really believes in what she is saying. It’s a powerful word that adds weight to your sentences.
Common phrases include 'deep conviction,' 'moral conviction,' or 'to overturn a conviction.' Use it when you want to sound serious, passionate, or precise about legal matters.
Conviction is a countable noun. You can have 'one conviction' or 'many convictions.' The plural form is simply convictions.
Pronunciation-wise, it is /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/. The stress is on the second syllable: con-VIC-tion. Rhyming words include addiction, prediction, restriction, friction, and diction.
When using it as a belief, it is often used with the preposition 'of' or 'that.' For example: 'She had a conviction that he was innocent' or 'He acted out of conviction.'
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'evict'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'con-vic-shun' sound.
Slightly faster 'vick-shun' sound.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing the 't' too hard
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
A conviction.
Prepositional phrases
With conviction.
Relative clauses
The conviction that he held.
Examples by Level
The judge gave him a conviction.
judge/gave/guilty
Noun usage
I have a strong conviction.
I/believe/hard
Noun usage
He has a criminal conviction.
crime/guilty
Adjective+Noun
She spoke with conviction.
spoke/sure
Prepositional phrase
The court recorded a conviction.
court/recorded/guilty
Verb+Noun
It is my firm conviction.
my/sure/belief
Possessive+Noun
They have many convictions.
they/many/beliefs
Plural noun
He lacks any conviction.
he/no/belief
Verb+Noun
The jury reached a conviction.
She has strong moral convictions.
He was worried about his conviction.
The conviction was overturned.
She spoke with great conviction.
He stood by his convictions.
The judge announced the conviction.
It was a difficult conviction.
His conviction for theft was expected.
She has a deep conviction that she is right.
The lawyer tried to avoid a conviction.
He spoke with such conviction that I believed him.
They were surprised by the conviction.
She held onto her convictions despite the pressure.
The case resulted in a conviction.
He lacked the conviction to finish the project.
The evidence was enough to secure a conviction.
She is a woman of strong political convictions.
The conviction was based on new evidence.
He argued his point with absolute conviction.
It takes real conviction to change your life.
The conviction was eventually quashed.
Her conviction is that education is key.
He lacked the moral conviction to do the right thing.
The prosecutor fought hard for a conviction.
Her inner conviction gave her the strength to continue.
He was a man of deep religious conviction.
The conviction was a turning point in his life.
She expressed her convictions with elegance.
The legal system led to a wrongful conviction.
He spoke with the conviction of a true believer.
His convictions were tested by the crisis.
The historical conviction of the martyr remains a symbol.
He lived his life according to his deepest convictions.
The conviction of the accused shocked the community.
She possessed a quiet conviction that was contagious.
Her conviction was rooted in years of study.
The court upheld the conviction despite the appeal.
He acted with the conviction of someone who had nothing to lose.
The philosophical conviction behind the movement was clear.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"Man of conviction"
A person with firm principles.
He is a man of conviction.
neutral"Stick to your guns"
To hold onto your convictions.
You should stick to your guns.
casual"Follow your heart"
Act on your deepest convictions.
Just follow your heart.
casual"Hold fast"
To stay firm in your belief.
Hold fast to your dreams.
literary"Stand your ground"
Defend your conviction.
She stood her ground against the bullies.
neutralEasily Confused
Same root
Adjective/Verb vs Noun
I am convinced vs I have a conviction.
Legal context
Verdict is the outcome, conviction is the guilt.
The verdict was guilty, leading to a conviction.
Both are beliefs
Conviction is stronger.
That is my opinion vs That is my conviction.
Legal context
Sentence is the punishment, conviction is the guilt.
He received a conviction and a sentence.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + a + conviction + that
She has a conviction that he is innocent.
Subject + spoke + with + conviction
He spoke with conviction.
Subject + was + found + guilty + of + conviction
He was found guilty of the crime, leading to a conviction.
Subject + stood + by + their + convictions
They stood by their convictions.
It + is + my + conviction + that
It is my conviction that we must act.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Conviction implies a deep, strong belief.
Convinced is an adjective/verb.
It is also about personal beliefs.
Double 'n' is incorrect.
Conviction is the opposite of doubt.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Put a gavel in your memory palace.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when you want to sound firm.
Cultural Insight
It implies moral integrity.
Grammar Shortcut
Always a noun.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with 'convinced'.
Did You Know?
It means 'to conquer' in Latin.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your own values.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Con (with) + Vic (victory) = You have victory in your belief.
Visual Association
A judge's gavel (legal) and a person with a glowing heart (belief).
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences using both meanings.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: To conquer or overcome
文化的な背景
Can be a sensitive topic in criminal justice contexts.
Used heavily in legal dramas and political speeches.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At court
- The jury returned a conviction
- The judge upheld the conviction
In a debate
- I speak with conviction
- My deep conviction is...
Writing an essay
- A core conviction
- A moral conviction
Personal growth
- Stand by your convictions
- Change your convictions
Conversation Starters
"What is one conviction you hold very strongly?"
"Why do you think people change their convictions over time?"
"Is it better to have many convictions or to be flexible?"
"How does a legal conviction change a person's life?"
"Can you describe a time you spoke with real conviction?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a conviction that has guided your life.
Describe a time you felt a conviction was challenged.
Why is it important for a society to have legal convictions?
How do you distinguish between a simple opinion and a conviction?
よくある質問
8 問No, it is a neutral term in law and a positive one in personal belief.
Yes, it is very common for strong beliefs.
No, it is a noun.
Convict.
Conviction is much stronger than an opinion.
Yes, you can have many beliefs.
It is generally formal but used in daily life.
Convicted (for legal) or convincing (for belief).
自分をテスト
The judge announced the ___.
The judge announces a legal decision.
What does conviction mean here?
Conviction is a strong belief.
A conviction is always a good thing.
It can be a legal punishment.
Word
意味
These are the two meanings.
Correct structure: He spoke with conviction.
スコア： /5
Summary
Conviction is the power of being sure, whether in a courtroom or in your own heart.
- Legal: A formal declaration of guilt.
- Personal: A strong, unshakable belief.
- Etymology: From Latin 'to conquer'.
- Usage: Formal and serious contexts.
Memory Palace Trick
Put a gavel in your memory palace.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when you want to sound firm.
Cultural Insight
It implies moral integrity.
Grammar Shortcut
Always a noun.
例文
He has a prior conviction for shoplifting from a local store.
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