convinced

convinced — adjective

1. feeling no doubt at all that something is true or that something will happen, us

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

feeling no doubt at all that something is true or that something will happen, usually because of evidence you have seen or arguments you have heard.

Example

Mizuki was convinced that her keys had fallen behind the sofa.

be convinced + that-clause

The detective is convinced of the suspect's guilt after finding the fingerprints.

be convinced of + noun

Common collocations
  • fully convinced
  • not entirely convinced
  • convinced beyond doubt
  • remain convinced
Synonyms
  • certain

    more neutral; can be used before a noun (a certain answer).

  • sure

    less formal; weaker confidence than 'convinced'.

  • positive

    informal; suggests very strong personal certainty.

  • satisfied

    implies certainty after careful checking, often in formal or legal contexts.

Antonyms
  • doubtful

    feeling unsure, especially about a claim.

  • skeptical

    actively questioning whether something is true.

  • unconvinced

    direct opposite; not yet persuaded.

Grammar Patterns

be convinced + that-clause

be convinced of + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be', 'feel', 'sound', 'seem'); rarely placed before a noun. Frequently negated as 'not convinced' to politely express doubt.

Common Mistakes

I am a convinced person that he is innocent.
I am convinced that he is innocent.
'convinced' is not normally used before a noun in this sense.
She is convinced with the result.
She is convinced by the result.
use 'by' for what persuades you, not 'with'.

2. describes someone who holds a religious, political, or moral view very strongly

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes someone who holds a religious, political, or moral view very strongly and is unlikely to change their mind — for example, a convinced vegan or a convinced socialist.

Example

Romi has been a convinced pacifist since her uncle returned from the war.

attributive: a convinced + [belief noun]

Sirin's grandfather was a convinced atheist his whole life.

Common collocations
  • convinced socialist
  • convinced atheist
  • convinced vegetarian
  • convinced believer
Synonyms
  • committed

    stresses ongoing dedication and effort, not just belief.

  • dedicated

    focuses on giving time and energy to a cause.

  • staunch

    more formal; emphasises loyalty that will not weaken.

  • devout

    usually religious; implies regular worship as well as belief.

Antonyms
  • lukewarm

    showing only mild support for an idea or cause.

  • wavering

    currently unsure whether to keep believing.

Grammar Patterns

a convinced + noun (e.g. socialist, vegetarian, atheist)

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is attributive (placed before a noun naming a belief or movement, like 'vegetarian' or 'Catholic'), not predicative. The noun must name an ideology or commitment, not a feeling.

Common Mistakes

He is a convinced that vegetables are healthy.
He is a convinced vegetarian.
this sense needs a noun naming a belief or movement after 'convinced'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words say the speaker has no doubt, but they differ in formality and the role of evidence. 'Convinced' is the only one that strongly implies someone arrived at the certainty through evidence, argument, or persuasion — you become convinced after seeing or hearing something. 'Certain' is the most neutral and works in formal writing; it states a fact about the speaker's mental state without saying how it got there. 'Sure' is the everyday spoken equivalent and slightly weaker. 'Positive' is informal and the strongest of the four — often used to insist when someone doubts you. Compare: 'I'm sure I locked the door' (casual recall), 'I'm positive I locked the door' (insisting), 'I'm convinced I locked the door' (after thinking it through).

convinced ↗certain ↗sure ↗positive ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • convinced believer
  • convinced supporter

Adverbs

  • fully convinced
  • firmly convinced
  • deeply convinced
  • not entirely convinced
  • half-convinced

Phrases

  • become convinced
  • remain convinced
  • sound convinced
  • look convinced

Prepositions

  • convinced of
  • convinced by
  • convinced about

Etymology

LatinMiddle FrenchEnglish

From the Latin verb 'convincere', built from 'con-' (a strengthening prefix) plus 'vincere' meaning 'to conquer' — so the original idea is 'to fully overcome' someone's doubts. The verb 'convince' entered English in the 1500s with the sense 'to defeat in argument'; the past-participle adjective 'convinced' (meaning 'persuaded into certainty') settled into modern use during the 1600s.