2 syllables: con, vict. Stress on con.
KAHN-vikt
/ˈkɑnvɪkt/
convict is pronounced KAHN-vikt (/ˈkɑnvɪkt/). It has two syllables (con-vict), with the stress on "con". Convict is a word with two common uses: as a noun meaning a person legally found guilty of a crime, and as a verb meaning to convict someone of a crime. In US and UK English, the noun and verb differ in stress: CON-vict (noun) and con-VICT (verb). The term can also describe someone who has been convicted, or the act of declaring guilt in a court of law. Meaning and pronunciation shift with part of speech.
Convict is a word with two common uses: as a noun meaning a person legally found guilty of a crime, and as a verb meaning to convict someone of a crime. In US and UK English, the noun and verb differ in stress: CON-vict (noun) and con-VICT (verb). The term can also describe someone who has been convicted, or the act of declaring guilt in a court of law. Meaning and pronunciation shift with part of speech.
- You: Focus on explicit guidance here. - Common phonetic challenges: 1) Stress misplacement between noun and verb; 2) Final cluster /kt/ resistance or elision; 3) Vowel quality in /ɒ/ varies by dialect, causing rhythm mismatch. Corrections: 1) For noun, practice CON-vict with a strong first syllable and clear, lighter second; for verb, con-VICT with a strong second syllable; 2) Practice /kt/ as a single, released cluster by starting with slow duration and gradually reducing tempo; hold the vowel slightly longer to avoid truncation. 3) Isolate /ɒ/ using minimal pairs like cot–caught to hear tonal differences. Try mouth positioning: open jaw for /ɒ/, keep lips relaxed and avoid over-rounded /ɒ/. Repeat phrases with natural speed.
"- The convict stood in court as the verdict was read."
"- The jury found the suspect guilty, convicting him of the crime."
"- He was sent to prison after the conviction."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒn.vɪkt/ (US/UK/AU). Stress the first syllable in the noun: CON-vict; and stress the second syllable as a verb: con-VICT. Start with /k/ followed by /ɒ/ (as in cot), then /n/; for the second syllable use /vɪkt/ with a short /ɪ/ and /kt/ blend. Tip: ensure the /ɒ/ is open and back, then land on a crisp /k/ at the end. Listen for a slight vowel height difference between syllables.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress by saying CON-vict with second syllable emphasis; fix by practicing con-VICT for verbs and CON-vict for nouns. 2) Slurring the final /kt/ into a /t/ or /k/; ensure the /t/ is released with a brief closure, as in /t/ release after /k/. 3) Erroneous vowel in the first syllable, using /ɑː/ instead of /ɒ/; use the short, open /ɒ/ as in ‘cot’. Practice by isolating sounds: k + ɒ + n; then ɪ + kt.
In most varieties, CON-vict vs con-VICT mirrors noun/verb stress. In US/UK/AU, initial /k/ and /n/ positions remain similar, but non-rhotic tendencies in some UK accents may subtly affect the following vowel; the /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ can shift: UK British Received Pronunciation tends to a lower back /ɒ/ with slight rounding, US tends to /ɑ/ in many dialects, while Australian tends toward a broader /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on region. The /t/ may be unreleased in some informal speech; avoid as it can blur the /kt/ cluster.
Two main challenges: the /ɒ/ in the first syllable and the /kt/ consonant cluster at the end. The /ɒ/ can be mispronounced as /ɒː/ or /ɑː/ depending on dialect, which changes rhythm. The /kt/ blend requires quick release after a plosive, often leading to a clipped or slurred /t/. Practice with slow exaggeration of the final cluster, then gradually reduce speed while maintaining crisp /kt/ release.
In ‘convict’ the noun and verb form require distinct syllable stress; ensure your mouth posture shifts between forms. A subtle regional variation is the length of the first vowel in some UK speakers who may produce a shorter /ɒ/ in CON-vict. The onset /k/ followed by a tight /ɒ/ can lead to a glottal stop in very casual speech; if you hear it, slow down and re-articulate the final /kt/ with a clean release.
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- US: rhotic, /ɰ/ or rhotic r less relevant here; main differences come from vowel quality and flapped t in some syllables; US tends to a clearer /ɒ/ with minimal rounding. - UK: often non-rhotic, with a more open /ɒ/; keep jaw lowered, tongue retracted; stress alignment remains CON-vict for noun. - AU: more varied vowel inventory; may approximate US /ɒ/ or broader /ɔː/ depending on region; maintain crisp /kt/ with less aspirated t. IPA references: /ˈkɒn.vɪkt/ US/UK/AU broadly align. - Summary: stay precise with vowel height, practice the /kt/ cluster with a tight release, and maintain distinct stress positions for noun vs. verb.
Convict traces to Latin convictus meaning ‘living together, banquet, association, accomplice,’ from con- ‘together’ and victus ‘food, nourishment, living,’ tied to ‘living together in a community’ and later ‘one who is found guilty.’ The legal sense emerged through Old French convictif and Medieval Latin convictus, referring to someone found guilty in a court. In English, the shift to designate a person who has been found guilty occurred by the early 16th century. The noun usage stresses the state of being convicted, while the verb usage (to convict) surfaces in the same period, indicating the action of declaring someone guilty. Over time, the term broadened in common speech to cover both the convicted individual and the act of declaring guilt in criminal proceedings. The modern pronunciation diverges by syllable stress depending on part of speech, with CON-vict (noun) and con-VICT (verb) reflecting typical English stress patterns for nouns vs. verbs of two-syllable words.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "convict" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "convict"
-ict sounds
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