Definition of 'prove'

Word Frequency

prove

(pruːv )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense proves , present participle proving , past tense proved , past participle proved , past participle proven

1. link verb

If something proves to be true or to have a particular quality, it becomes clear after a period of time that it is true or has that quality.

None of the rumours has ever been proved to be true. [VERB to-infinitive]

In the past this process of transition has often proven difficult. [VERB adjective]

...an experiment which was to prove a source of inspiration for many years to come. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: turn out, come out, end up, be found to be More Synonyms of prove

2. verb

If you prove that something is true, you show by means of argument or evidence that it is definitely true.

You brought this charge. You prove it! [VERB noun]

The results prove that regulation of the salmon farming industry is inadequate. [VERB that]

...trying to prove how groups of animals have evolved. [VERB wh]

That made me hopping mad and determined to prove him wrong. [VERB noun adjective]

History will prove him to have been right all along. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

...a proven cause of cancer. [VERB-ed]

3. verb

If you prove yourself to have a certain good quality, you show by your actions that you have it.

Margaret proved herself to be a good mother. [VERB pronoun-reflexive to-infinitive]

As a composer he proved himself adept at large dramatic forms. [V pron-refl adj]

A man needs time to prove himself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]

Few would argue that this team has experience and proven ability. [VERB-ed]

prove a point

More Synonyms of prove

Video: pronunciation of 'prove'

Word Frequency

prove in British

(pruːv )

verbWord forms: proves, proving, proved, proved or proven (mainly tr)

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

to establish or demonstrate the truth or validity of; verify, esp by using an established sequence of procedures or statements

to establish the quality of, esp by experiment or scientific analysis

3. law

to establish the validity and genuineness of (a will)

to show (oneself) able or courageous

5. (copula)

to be found or shown (to be)

this has proved useless

it proved to be invaluable

6. printing

to take a trial impression of (type, etc)

7. (intransitive)

(of dough) to rise in a warm place before baking

8. archaic

to undergo

Derived forms

provable (ˈprovable)

adjective

provability (ˌprovaˈbility)

noun

provably (ˈprovably)

adverb

Word origin of 'prove'

C12: from Old French prover, from Latin probāre to test, from probus honest

Word Frequency

prove in American

(pruv ; pro̅ov)

verb transitiveWord forms: proved, proved or ˈproven, ˈproving

to test by experiment, a standard, etc.; subject to a testing process; try out

to establish as true; demonstrate to be a fact

to establish the validity or authenticity of (esp. a will)

to show (oneself) to be capable, dependable, etc.

5. Archaic

to experience; learn or know by experience

6. Ancient Mathematics

to test or verify the correctness of (a calculation, etc.)

7. Printing

to take a proof of (type, etc.)

verb intransitive

to be found or shown by experience or trial; turn out to be

a guess that proved right

9. Archaic

to make trial

Idioms:

the exception proves the rule

prove out

Derived forms

provability (ˌprovaˈbility)

noun or ˈprovableness

provable (ˈprovable)

adjective

provably (ˈprovably)

adverb

prover (ˈprover)

noun see exception

Word origin of 'prove'

ME proven < OFr prover < L probare: see probe

Example sentences containing 'prove'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The team emphasised that their study could not prove that anxiety caused heart disease. Times, Sunday Times (2016)That was a difficult proposition to prove. Times, Sunday Times (2016)French presidential pardons often prove controversial. Times, Sunday Times (2016)This is a weaker race and he can prove too good for Aso. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Everything that was outlined during the meeting in America has proved true. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Your own show proves it. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The dressings proved so good that they are now available on prescription through the NHS. The Sun (2016)People like to share, though, and the growth of social networks over the past decade has proved that younger generations like to share more than any other. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The grey area lies in proving your ability to drive is impaired. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The best pieces have proved a good investment. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Why is it often difficult to prove that a disease or condition resulted from workplace exposure? McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)This may explain why the show is already proving hugely popular. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Leicester have spent all season proving many of the things we hold true to be badly wrong. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We have proved highly adept at using technology to stress ourselves. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The past proves the richer area of study. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Yet it might prove the richest source of recruitment. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The video evidence from our experiment proves just how bad men are at taking a sneaky peek. The Sun (2011)We will soon see whether this proves to be true. Christianity Today (2000)When cigarettes are proven to cause lung cancer we can bring in a smoking ban. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It has been about proving my ability and helping the team. The Sun (2009)But it could be an unexpected arrival that proves so good for the family. The Sun (2009)So this show proved to be a bit of a departure. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The careful historian soon learns that juicy stories often have to be jettisoned when sources prove unreliable. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The top tips and facts are crucial and explain what the experiments prove. Times, Sunday Times (2012)But in the wider human context the opposite has generally proved true. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The researchers acknowledged that the study did not prove cause and effect. Times, Sunday Times (2014)This would have proved a difficult operation by other processes. Times, Sunday Times (2014)He said that the party had proved its ability to do well without mounting a conventional campaign. Times, Sunday Times (2015)