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# conviction

noun (a conviction, convictions; also uncountable)

«conviction» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A strong belief or opinion: «She has a deep conviction that animals should be treated kindly». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#m1)
2. The feeling of being sure, shown in how you speak or act: «He spoke with conviction». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#m2)
3. (law) The decision of a court that someone is guilty of a crime: «a conviction for theft». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#m3)
4. (law) A record that someone has been found guilty before: «He had no previous convictions». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#m4)

### In the lessons

In speaking and drama, teachers praise pupils who speak «with conviction» (sounding sure). In citizenship and law topics, a «conviction» is the end of a trial when the jury or judge finds someone guilty; the opposite is an «acquittal». In religious education, people act from their «religious convictions». Phrases: «with conviction», «strong convictions», «a criminal conviction», «previous convictions», «have the courage of your convictions».

### Examples

- She read her poem aloud with real conviction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x1)
- It is my conviction that everyone deserves a second chance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x2)
- The thief's conviction was announced in court. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x3)
- The man had no previous convictions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x4)
- He has the courage of his convictions and speaks up for what is right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x5)
- Without evidence, there can be no conviction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x6)
- The team played with conviction and won. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x7)
- “So it is,” Michael said, but not with much conviction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/#x8)

### Note

Two very different senses: a belief (everyday) and a guilty verdict (law). The verb «convict» (con-VICT) means to find guilty; the noun «a convict» (CON-vict) is a person in prison. Being «convinced» (sure) is related to the belief sense. A conviction in court needs proof «beyond reasonable doubt» in the UK, USA and similar countries.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «conviction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conviction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«conviction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/conviction.html) on Mova free.