Persuade Meaning
/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪd/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence.
verbTo convince of by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe (something).
Sentence Examples
It is no use your trying to persuade him.
It is difficult for us to persuade him.
Try to persuade him to come.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer tried to ____ the jury by presenting clear evidence of the defendant's innocence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She tried to ____ her friend to apply for the scholarship by highlighting all the benefits.
Word Origin & History
From Latin persuādeō (“to persuade”). Cognate to for, sweet.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[VV]e are able with playne demonſtration to proue, and vvith reaſon to perſvvade that in tymes paſt our fayth vvas alike, that then vve preached thinges correſpondent vnto the forme of faith already published of vs, ſo that none in this behalfe can repyne or gaynesay vs."
— 1577, Socrates Scholasticus [i.e., Socrates of Constantinople], “Constantinus the Emperour Summoneth the Nicene Councell, it was Held at Nicæa a Citie of Bythnia for the Debatinge of the Controuersie about the Feast of Easter, and the Rootinge out of the Heresie of Arius”, in Eusebius Pamphilus, Socrates Scholasticus, Evagrius Scholasticus, Dorotheus, translated by Meredith Hanmer, The Avncient Ecclesiasticall Histories of the First Six Hundred Yeares after Christ, Wrytten in the Greeke Tongue by Three Learned Historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. …, book I (The First Booke of the Ecclesiasticall Historye of Socrates Scholasticvs), imprinted at London: By Thomas Vautroullier dwelling in the Blackefriers by Ludgate, →OCLC, page 225:
"We will persuade him, be it possible."
— c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
"The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits. He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. Nobody would miss them, he explained."
— 1909 September 9, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], chapter I, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC:
"The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott."
— 2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph:
"But beloued, wee are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany saluation, though we thus speake."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Hebrews 6:9:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer tried to ____ the jury by presenting clear evidence of the defendant's innocence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She tried to ____ her friend to apply for the scholarship by highlighting all the benefits.