Convict
/kənˈvɪkt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo declare someone guilty of a crime after a trial.
/kənˈvɪkt/
To find someone guilty of a crime.
The evidence presented was enough to convict the suspect.
💡 Simply: It's like when a judge says you did something wrong and sends you to jail or gives you a punishment.
👶 For kids: To say that someone did something bad and is guilty, like if you take someone's toys and the judge says you are wrong.
More Examples
The judge convicted the man after a quick deliberation.
She was convicted of fraud and sentenced to five years in prison.
How It's Used
"The jury convicted him of murder."
"The court convicted the defendant after a lengthy trial."
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence in a prison or other correctional facility.
/ˈkɒnvɪkt/
A person serving a prison sentence.
The escape of a convict from the maximum security prison made the headlines.
💡 Simply: A person who is in jail or prison because they broke the law.
👶 For kids: Someone who is in jail because they did something wrong.
More Examples
The convict was known for his violent tendencies.
The prison was designed to house violent convicts.
How It's Used
"The convict was released on parole after serving fifteen years."
"The prison held over a thousand convicts."
Idioms & expressions
convict of conscience
Someone who feels guilty or remorseful.
"He was a convict of conscience, regretting his actions."
From Latin *convictus*, past participle of *convincere* 'to prove, refute, convict', from *con-* 'with, together' + *vincere* 'to conquer'.
Historically, the term 'convict' was often used more broadly to describe those transported to penal colonies, such as Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of 'con' (as in, together) and 'vict' (victory). The prosecution gets a 'victory' by proving someone's guilt.
Word Origin
"to prove guilty"