convergence
/kənˈvɜː.dʒəns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The process of moving closer together or meeting at one point. It can describe people, lines, ideas, or trends.
- The two roads show convergence near the city.
- There is a convergence of opinions on this issue.
- The data shows convergence over time.
Adinary Nuance
Convergence is more formal than simple words like meeting or coming together. It often suggests separate things becoming similar, moving toward one point, or sharing the same result. Use it when you want a precise, often academic or business tone. It is stronger and more specific than overlap.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự hội tụ
- Spanish
- convergencia
- Chinese
- 趋同
- Japanese
- 収束
- Korean
- 수렴
Etymology
Convergence came into English in the 17th century from French convergence, based on Latin convergere, meaning “to incline together.” The word kept its idea of things moving toward the same point.
Common phrases
convergence of ideasconvergence pointmarket convergenceconvergence over time
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is convergence formal or informal?
- It is mostly formal. People use it in academic, business, and technical writing.
- What is the difference between convergence and meeting?
- Meeting is general. Convergence suggests separate things moving toward the same point or becoming more alike.
- Can I use convergence in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is a useful academic word for graphs, trends, ideas, and systems.
- What is the opposite of convergence?
- The opposite is divergence, which means moving apart or becoming different.