convict
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to prove or declare guilty of an offense, especially after a legal trial.
to convict a prisoner of a felony.
-
to impress with a sense of guilt.
noun
-
a person proved or declared guilty of an offense.
-
a person serving a prison sentence.
adjective
verb
noun
-
a person found guilty of an offence against the law, esp one who is sentenced to imprisonment
-
a person serving a prison sentence
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
convictibleadjective
-
preconvictverb (used with object)
-
reconvictverb (used with object)
-
unconvictingadjective
-
unconvictiveadjective
-
convictableadjective
-
convictiveadjective
-
convictivelyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have convictedperfect
-
has convictedperfect 3rd person singular
-
are convictingprogressive
-
have been convictingperfect progressive
-
has been convictingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am convictingprogressive 1st person singular
-
convictssingular 3rd person
-
is convictingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
convictingparticiple
Past
-
had convictedperfect
-
was convictingprogressive singular
-
convictedparticiple
-
were convictingprogressive plural
-
convictedsimple
-
had been convictingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of convict
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb convicten, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere, equivalent to con- “with, together” + vic-, variant stem of vincere “to overcome” + -tus past participle suffix; Middle English noun convict “(a) convict,” adjective convict “convicted,” past participle of convicten “to convince” (or directly from Latin ); see con-, convince
Explanation
A convict is a person who has been found guilty — convicted — of a crime and is serving a sentence in prison. When you convict (accent on the second syllable) someone of a crime, you find them guilty. The person is then a convict (accent on the first syllable). When the person is released from jail, he's an ex-con, that is, he's not a convict any more.
Vocabulary lists containing convict
13th Amendment (1865)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 20–25
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I owe it to my son. ... Convict me. ... Send me on my way.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2025
The Arizona farmer photobombed a photograph the Cop, Convict, Comedian and Rabbi took together to celebrate their night out with the faithful.
From Salon • Aug. 25, 2024
In August 2019, during Kefas’ detention at the Kaduna Convict Prison, Kefas’ mother paid him a visit and pleaded with him to forgo his activism.
From Slate • Dec. 28, 2021
“It is now time for the defendant, Robert Kelly, to pay for his crimes. Convict him.”
From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2021
Convict number 4,565, aged thirty-eight years . . . and in good health, was showered with three pails of cold water.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
