/ pruːv; NAmE / verb
( proved , proved ) or ( proved , proven / ˈpruːvn; NAmE / especially in NAmE )
HELP NOTE : In BrE proved is the more common form. Look also at proven .
SHOW STH IS TRUE
1.
prove sth (to sb) to use facts, evidence, etc. to show that sth is true :
[ vn ]
They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence.
'I know you're lying.' 'Prove it!'
Just give me a chance and I'll prove it to you.
He felt he needed to prove his point (= show other people that he was right) .
Are you just doing this to prove a point ?
What are you trying to prove ?
I certainly don't have anything to prove —my record speaks for itself.
[ v ( that )]
This proves (that) I was right.
[ vn - adj ]
She was determined to prove everyone wrong.
In this country, you are innocent until proved guilty.
[ v wh- ]
This just proves what I have been saying for some time.
[ vn that ]
Can it be proved that he did commit these offences?
[also vn - n , vn to inf ]
OPP disprove
—see also proof
BE
2.
linking verb if sth proves dangerous, expensive, etc. or if it proves to be dangerous, etc., you discover that it is dangerous, etc. over a period of time
SYN turn out :
[ v - adj ]
The opposition proved too strong for him.
[ v - n ]
Shares in the industry proved a poor investment.
[ v to inf ]
The promotion proved to be a turning point in his career.
YOURSELF
3.
[ vn ] prove yourself (to sb) to show other people how good you are at doing sth or that you are capable of doing sth :
He constantly feels he has to prove himself to others.
4.
prove yourself sth / to be sth to show other people that you are a particular type of person or that you have a particular quality :
[ vn - adj ]
He proved himself determined to succeed.
[also vn - n , vn to inf ]
OF BREAD
5.
[ v ] to swell before being baked because of the action of yeast
SYN rise
•
IDIOMS
see exception
••
WORD FAMILY
prove verb (≠ disprove )
proof noun
proven adjective (≠ unproven )
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French prover , from Latin probare test, approve, demonstrate, from probus good.