3 syllables: con, vic, tion. Stress on vic.
kuhn-VIK-shuhn
/kəˈnvɪkʃən/
conviction is pronounced kuhn-VIK-shuhn (/kəˈnvɪkʃən/). It has three syllables (con-vic-tion), with the stress on "vic". Conviction refers to a firmly held belief or the state of being convinced of something, often carrying a sense of certainty or moral stance. It can also mean a formal finding of guilt in a court of law. The term encompasses confidence, certainty, and steadfastness in one's opinions or actions.
Conviction refers to a firmly held belief or the state of being convinced of something, often carrying a sense of certainty or moral stance. It can also mean a formal finding of guilt in a court of law. The term encompasses confidence, certainty, and steadfastness in one's opinions or actions.
"Her conviction that honesty should guide all her decisions shaped her career."
"The jury returned a conviction after the evidence was presented."
"He spoke with quiet conviction about the project’s potential impact."
Pronounce it as kən-ˈvɪk-ʃən in US/UK; stress the second syllable: vic. Phonetically: /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/. Start with a neutral schwa in the first syllable, then a crisp 'vik' with short i, followed by 'tion' as shən. Mouth: lip relaxed, tongue mid-high for 'ɪ', teeth lightly apart for the 'v' and 'k' release, and a soft 'ʃ' before the final 'ən'. Audio reference: imagine saying ‘con-’ quickly, then emphasize ‘vic-’ clearly before ‘tion.’
Common errors include reducing the first syllable to a weak schwa without proper linking and misplacing the stress (putting emphasis on 'con' or neutralizing the 'vic' syllable). Another frequent mispronunciation is substituting 'tion' with a clear 'shun' or 'tion' as ‘-tion’ with a strong hiss. Correction: keep /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/ with stable schwa in the first syllable, stress on the ‘vic’ syllable, and a soft, unstressed ‘-tion’ ending. Practice linking the vowels smoothly and avoid adding extra vowel sounds between syllables.
US and AU accents are rhotic, so the initial 'con' retains /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ depending on speaker and vowel shift, but still uses /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/. UK speakers often exhibit non-rhoticity in careful speech, but the word’s vowel sounds remain the same: /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/. The main differences lie in vowel quality and the ‘r’ coloration absent in UK/AU. Overall, the primary syllable stress pattern remains the same (second syllable).
The difficulty centers on accurate stress placement and the sequence /vɪk.ʃən/. The ‘vic’ needs a crisp, short /ɪ/ vowel, while the final /ʃən/ should be soft and quick; many learners insert an extra vowel or misplace the 'sh' sound. Additionally, the transition from the voiced /v/ to the voiceless /k/ can be awkward if the tongue doesn’t release cleanly. Practicing with minimal pairs helps control these transitions and strengthens muscle memory.
The prefix 'con-' contributes a light, unstressed initial sound, commonly reduced to a schwa /kən/ in fluent speech. You should not pronounce a strong /k/ at the start; instead, keep the first syllable weak and quick. The emphasis falls firmly on /ˈvɪk/ in the second syllable, which is the nucleus of the word. This trait makes conviction feel rhythmically distinct, with a clear secondary stress planned on the middle syllable.
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Conviction comes from the Latin convīction-, convīctio, from convīcere ‘to prove or demonstrate’ (com- ‘together’ + -vict, root vincere ‘to conquer, to win’). The term entered English via Old French conviction, with senses evolving from “the act of proving something” to “a state of being convinced.” In medieval legal language, it referred to the act of proving guilt; by the 16th–17th centuries it broadly captured the idea of a firmly held belief or decision. The modern scope includes moral certitude and appellate terminology, where “conviction” denotes a guilty verdict or the certainty of a finding. The word’s path reflects a shift from external proof to internal resolve, maintaining its core sense of being firmly proven or persuaded.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "conviction" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "conviction" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "conviction"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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