convince
verbcommon in dialogue
- United States//kənˈvɪns//
- United States/[kʰənˈvɪns]/
- New Zealand//kənˈvəns//
To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
verb
- 1
To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
I wouldn't have or do something, unless I'm convinced that it's good.
Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
- 2
To persuade.
- 3
obsoleteTo overcome, conquer, vanquish.
[…]his two Chamberlaines / Will I with Wine, and Waſſell, ſo conuince, / That Memorie, the Warder of the Braine, / Shall be a Fume,[…]
- 4
To behave believably in a role; to make someone perceive oneself as the character being portrayed.
- 5
obsoleteTo confute; to prove wrong.
For hee mightily conuinced the Iewes, and that publikely, shewing by the scriptures, that Iesus was Christ.
And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.
- 6
obsoleteTo prove guilty; to convict.
Which of you conuinceth mee of ſinne?
O ſeek not to convince me of a Crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor can you pardon.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin convincō (“to refute, prove”), from con- + vincō (“to conquer, vanquish”). Doublet of convict. Displaced native Old English oferreċċan.
Forms
- past tense
- convinced
- past participle
- convinced
- present participle
- convincing
- third person singular
- convinces
convince · To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
convinced · In a state of believing, especially from evidence but not…convincing · Effective as proof or evidence.convoy · One or more merchant ships sailing in company to the same…