Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense proves, present participle proving, past tense proved, past participle proved, past participle proven
1. link verb
If something provesto 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 provethat 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 proveyourself 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]
4.
See prove a point
More Synonyms of prove
prove in British English
(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
2.
to establish the quality of, esp by experiment or scientific analysis
3. law
to establish the validity and genuineness of (a will)
4.
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
C12: from Old French prover, from Latin probāre to test, from probus honest
prove in American English
(pruv)
verb transitiveWord forms: proved, proved or ˈproven, ˈproving
1.
to test by experiment, a standard, etc.; subject to a testing process; try out
2.
to establish as true; demonstrate to be a fact
3.
to establish the validity or authenticity of (esp. a will)
4.
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
8.
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
ME proven < OFr prover < L probare: see probe
Examples of 'prove' in a sentence
prove
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)
In other languages
prove
British English: prove /pruːv/ VERB
bear out If something proves to be true, it becomes clear after a period of time that it is true.
The reports proved to be true.
American English: prove
Arabic: يُثَبِّت
Brazilian Portuguese: provar
Chinese: 证明
Croatian: dokazati
Czech: ukázat se jakým
Danish: bevise
Dutch: bewijzen
European Spanish: probar
Finnish: todistaa
French: s’avérer
German: beweisen
Greek: αποδεικνύω
Italian: dimostrarsi
Japanese: 立証する
Korean: 입증하다
Norwegian: bevise
Polish: udowodnić
European Portuguese: provar
Romanian: a dovedi
Russian: доказывать
Latin American Spanish: probar
Swedish: jäsa
Thai: พิสูจน์
Turkish: kanıtlamak
Ukrainian: доводити
Vietnamese: chứng minh
British English: prove VERB
argue 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!
American English: prove
Brazilian Portuguese: comprovar
Chinese: 证明
European Spanish: demostrar
French: prouver
German: beweisen
Italian: provare
Japanese: 立証する
Korean: 증명하다
European Portuguese: comprovar
Latin American Spanish: demostrar
All related terms of 'prove'
prove out
to show or be shown to be satisfactory , accurate , true , etc.
prove allegations
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong .
prove a point
If you prove a point , you show other people that you know something or can do something, although your action may have no other purpose .
prove a challenge
A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination .
prove an obstacle
You can refer to anything that makes it difficult for you to do something as an obstacle .
prove a disappointment
Disappointment is the state of feeling disappointed .
make/prove one's point
If you make your point or prove your point , you prove that something is true , either by arguing about it or by your actions or behaviour .
prove the existence of
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
re
You use re in business letters , faxes , or other documents to introduce a subject or item which you are going to discuss or refer to in detail .
Chinese translation of 'prove'
prove
(pruːv)
vt
[idea, theory]证(證)明 (zhèngmíng)
vi
to prove (to be) correct etc证(證)明是对(對)的等 (zhèngmíng shì duì de děng)
to prove that ... [person]证(證)明 ... (zhèngmíng ... ) [situation, experiment, calculations]显(顯)示 ... (xiǎnshì ... )
to prove sb right/wrong证(證)明某人是对(對)的/错(錯)的 (zhèngmíng mǒurén shì duì de/cuò de)
to prove o.s. (to be) useful etc证(證)明自己是有用的等 (zhèngmíng zìjǐ shì yǒuyòng de děng)
All related terms of 'prove'
to prove that ...
( person ) 证(證)明 ... zhèngmíng ...
to prove one's point
证(證)明某人的观(觀)点(點) zhèngmíng mǒurén de guāndiǎn
to prove sb right/wrong
证(證)明某人是对(對)的/错(錯)的 zhèngmíng mǒurén shì duì de/cuò de
to prove (to be) correct etc
证(證)明是对(對)的 等 zhèngmíng shì duì de děng
to prove o.s. (to be) useful etc
证(證)明自己是有用的 等 zhèngmíng zìjǐ shì yǒuyòng de děng
1 (verb)
Definition
to be found to be
In the past this process has proved difficult.
Synonyms
turn out
Things don't always turn out the way we expect.
come out
I'm sure it will come out all right in the end.
end up
be found to be
2 (verb)
Definition
to establish the truth or validity of
new evidence that could prove their innocence
Synonyms
verify
The government has not verified any of these reports.
establish
An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death.
determine
The investigation will determine what really happened.
show
These figures show an increase in unemployment.
evidence
He still has a lot to learn, as is evidenced by his recent behaviour.
confirm
This confirms what I suspected all along.
demonstrate
You have to demonstrate that you are reliable.
justify
This decision was fully justified by economic conditions.
ascertain
Try to ascertain what services the bank is offering.
bear out
attest
Records attest to his long history of violence.
substantiate
There is little scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
corroborate
I had access to a wide range of documents which corroborated the story.
authenticate
evince (formal)
He had never, hitherto, evinced any particular interest in economic matters.
show clearly
Opposites
rule out
,
discredit
,
refute
,
disprove
,
give the lie to
3 (verb)
Synonyms
test
Test the temperature of the water with your wrist.
try
It's best not to try a new recipe on such an important occasion.
check
Check the accuracy of every detail in your CV.
Get a mechanic to check the car out for you before you buy it.
examine
He examined her passport and stamped it.
experiment
Scientists have been experimenting with a potential new cure.
analyse
This book teaches you to analyse causes of stress in your life.
put to the test
assay
She sat down and assayed me with her large brown eyes.
put to trial
phrasal verb
See prove yourself
Additional synonyms
in the sense of analyse
Definition
to psychoanalyse (someone)
This book teaches you to analyse causes of stress in your life.
Synonyms
examine,
test,
study,
research,
judge,
estimate,
survey,
investigate,
interpret,
evaluate,
inspect,
work over
in the sense of ascertain
Definition
to find out definitely
Try to ascertain what services the bank is offering.
Synonyms
find out,
learn,
discover,
determine,
confirm,
settle,
identify,
establish,
fix,
verify,
make certain,
suss (out) (slang),
ferret out
in the sense of assay
Definition
to analyse (a substance, such as gold) to find out how pure it is
She sat down and assayed me with her large brown eyes.
Synonyms
analyse,
examine,
investigate,
assess,
weigh,
evaluate,
inspect,
try,
appraise,
test,
prove
Synonyms of 'prove'
prove
Explore 'prove' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attest
Definition
to affirm or prove the truth of
Records attest to his long history of violence.
Synonyms
testify,
show,
prove,
confirm,
display,
declare,
witness,
demonstrate,
seal,
swear,
exhibit,
warrant,
assert,
manifest,
give evidence,
invoke,
ratify,
affirm,
certify,
verify,
bear out,
substantiate,
corroborate,
bear witness,
authenticate,
vouch for,
evince (formal),
aver,
adjure
in the sense of check
Definition
to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into
Check the accuracy of every detail in your CV.Get a mechanic to check the car out for you before you buy it.
Synonyms
examine,
test,
study,
look at,
research,
note,
confirm,
investigate,
monitor,
probe,
tick,
vet,
inspect,
look over,
verify,
work over,
scrutinize,
make sure of,
inquire into,
take a dekko at (British, slang, old-fashioned),
parse
in the sense of come out
Definition
to end up or turn out
I'm sure it will come out all right in the end.
Synonyms
turn out,
result,
end up,
work out,
pan out (informal)
in the sense of confirm
Definition
to prove to be true or valid
This confirms what I suspected all along.
Synonyms
prove,
support,
establish,
back up,
verify,
validate,
bear out,
substantiate,
corroborate,
authenticate
in the sense of corroborate
Definition
to support (a fact or opinion) by giving proof
I had access to a wide range of documents which corroborated the story.
Synonyms
support,
establish,
confirm,
document,
sustain,
back up,
endorse,
ratify,
validate,
bear out,
substantiate,
authenticate
in the sense of demonstrate
Definition
to reveal the existence of
You have to demonstrate that you are reliable.
Synonyms
prove,
show,
establish,
indicate,
make clear,
manifest,
evidence,
testify to,
evince (formal),
show clearly,
flag up
in the sense of determine
Definition
to fix in scope, extent, etc.
The investigation will determine what really happened.
Synonyms
settle,
learn,
establish,
discover,
check,
confirm,
find out,
work out,
calculate,
detect,
figure out,
certify,
verify,
ascertain,
deduce,
fix upon
in the sense of establish
Definition
to prove
An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death.
Synonyms
prove,
show,
confirm,
demonstrate,
ratify,
certify,
verify,
validate,
substantiate,
corroborate,
authenticate
in the sense of evidence
Definition
to show clearly
He still has a lot to learn, as is evidenced by his recent behaviour.
Synonyms
show,
prove,
reveal,
display,
indicate,
witness,
demonstrate,
exhibit,
manifest,
signify,
denote,
testify to,
evince (formal)
in the sense of evince
Definition
to show or display (a quality or feeling) clearly
He had never, hitherto, evinced any particular interest in economic matters.
Synonyms
show,
evidence,
reveal,
establish,
express,
display,
indicate,
demonstrate,
exhibit,
make clear,
manifest,
signify,
attest,
bespeak,
betoken,
make evident
Additional synonyms
in the sense of examine
Definition
to inspect carefully or in detail
He examined her passport and stamped it.
Synonyms
inspect,
test,
consider,
study,
check,
research,
review,
survey,
investigate,
explore,
probe,
analyse,
scan,
vet,
check out,
ponder,
look over,
look at,
sift through,
work over,
pore over,
appraise,
scrutinize,
peruse,
take stock of,
assay,
recce (slang),
look at carefully,
go over or through
in the sense of experiment
Definition
to carry out an experiment or experiments
Scientists have been experimenting with a potential new cure.
Synonyms
test,
investigate,
trial,
research,
try,
examine,
pilot,
sample,
verify,
put to the test,
assay
in the sense of justify
Definition
to defend (an action) as being warranted
This decision was fully justified by economic conditions.
Synonyms
explain,
support,
warrant,
bear out,
legitimize,
establish,
maintain,
confirm,
defend,
approve,
excuse,
sustain,
uphold,
acquit,
vindicate,
validate,
substantiate,
exonerate,
legalize,
absolve,
exculpate
in the sense of show
Definition
to demonstrate or prove
These figures show an increase in unemployment.
Synonyms
indicate,
demonstrate,
prove,
reveal,
display,
evidence,
point out,
manifest,
testify to,
evince,
flag up
in the sense of substantiate
Definition
to establish (a story) as genuine
There is little scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
Synonyms
support,
prove,
confirm,
establish,
affirm,
verify,
validate,
bear out,
corroborate,
attest to,
authenticate
in the sense of try
Definition
to sample or test (something) to see how enjoyable, good, or useful it is
It's best not to try a new recipe on such an important occasion.