prove
Americanverb (used with object)
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to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument.
to prove one's claim.
- Synonyms:
- verify , substantiate , confirm , demonstrate
- Antonyms:
- disprove
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Law. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will); probate.
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to give demonstration of by action.
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to subject to a test, experiment, comparison, analysis, or the like, to determine quality, amount, acceptability, characteristics, etc..
to prove ore.
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to show (oneself ) to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions.
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Mathematics. to verify the correctness or validity of by mathematical demonstration or arithmetical proof.
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Printing. Also to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).
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to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.
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Archaic. to experience.
verb (used without object)
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to turn out.
The experiment proved to be successful.
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to be found by trial or experience to be.
His story proved false.
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(of dough) to rise to a specified lightness.
Leave covered until it has proved.
verb
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(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
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to establish the quality of, esp by experiment or scientific analysis
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law to establish the validity and genuineness of (a will)
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to show (oneself) able or courageous
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(copula) to be found or shown (to be)
this has proved useless
he proved to be invaluable
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printing to take a trial impression of (type, etc)
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(intr) (of dough) to rise in a warm place before baking
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archaic to undergo
Usage
Either proved or proven is standard as the past participle of prove : Events have proved (or proven ) him wrong. As a modifier, proven is by far the more common: a proven fact.
Other Word Forms
- half-proved adjective
- half-proven adjective
- nonprovable adjective
- overprove verb (used with object)
- preprove verb (used with object)
- provability noun
- provable adjective
- provableness noun
- provably adverb
- provenly adverb
- prover noun
- self-proving adjective
- semiproven adjective
- unprovable adjective
- unproved adjective
- unproven adjective
- unproving adjective
- well-proved adjective
- well-proven adjective
Etymology
Origin of prove
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English proven, from Old French prover, from Latin probāre “to try, test, prove, approve,” derivative of probus “good.” See probity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Still, a strong sequel has often proved a cure for what ails Hollywood, and the Thanksgiving weekend was no exception.
From MarketWatch
The analysis also suggests spending money on new medicines proved half as cost effective as improving existing services.
“Red Chamber” proved successful enough for a rare revival in 2022, but it never became the kind of sensation that “Monkey” boasts.
From Los Angeles Times
If all goes well, the coach secured with a proven approach could lead to a return to happier days.
From Los Angeles Times
A second reactor at the plant that was undamaged in the accident did run again, but proved too costly and closed in 2019.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
