DictionaryAI

convince

verb
kuhn-VINS/kənˈvɪns/

Formsconvinces, convincing, convinced

6 meanings of convince

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To make someone feel sure that something is true, often by giving good reasons.

    Like showing a friend a photo until they finally believe what you saw.

    Her clear evidence helped convince the jury that the man was innocent.

    I couldn't convince my brother that the story was true.

    Similarpersuade, satisfy, assure

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To get someone to agree to do something.

    Like talking a friend into picking your favorite movie for the night.

    She managed to convince her parents to let her travel alone.

    We couldn't convince him to join the team.

    Similarpersuade, induce, coax

    Oppositedissuade, deter, discourage

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To act so well in a role that people believe you really are that character.

    Like wearing a costume so well that people forget it is just a costume.

    She didn't quite convince as the villain in the new play.

    A good actor can convince even in a very small part.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To beat or defeat someone completely in a fight.
    Note
  2. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To show clearly that someone is wrong.
    For hee mightily conuinced the Iewes, and that publikely, shewing by the scriptures, that Iesus was Christ.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, convinced means proved wrong, showing clearly they were mistaken.
    And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.
    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Atheisme. XVI.”Here, convince means to prove wrong or show to be false.
    Note
  3. 6
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To prove that someone is guilty of a crime.
    Which of you conuinceth mee of ſinne?
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, convinceth means proves someone guilty.
    O ſeek not to convince me of a Crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor can you pardon.
    1681, John Dryden, The Spanish FryarHere, convince means to prove someone guilty.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin convincō, meaning "I refute or prove," made from con- plus vincō, "I conquer."