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View synonyms for

prove

[ proov ]

verb (used with object)

proved, proved or proven, proving.
  1. to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument:

    to prove one's claim.

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. Law. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will); probate.
  3. to give demonstration of by action.
  4. to subject to a test, experiment, comparison, analysis, or the like, to determine quality, amount, acceptability, characteristics, etc.:

    to prove ore.

  5. to show (oneself ) to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions.
  6. Mathematics. to verify the correctness or validity of by mathematical demonstration or arithmetical proof.
  7. Also Printing. to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).
  8. to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.
  9. Archaic. to experience.


verb (used without object)

proved, proved or proven, proving.
  1. to turn out:

    The experiment proved to be successful.

  2. to be found by trial or experience to be:

    His story proved false.

  3. (of dough) to rise to a specified lightness:

    Leave covered until it has proved.

prove

/ ː /

verb

  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

    he proved to be invaluable

  6. printing to take a trial impression of (type, etc)
  7. intr (of dough) to rise in a warm place before baking
  8. archaic.
    to undergo
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

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.
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Derived Forms

  • ˌDZˈٲ, noun
  • ˈDZ, adverb
  • ˈDZ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • DZa· adjective
  • DZa·i·ٲ DZa··ness noun
  • DZa· adverb
  • DZIJ· adverb
  • DZİ noun
  • 󲹱-DZ adjective
  • 󲹱-DZIJ adjective
  • non·DZa· adjective
  • v·DZ verb (used with object) overproved overproved or overproven overproving
  • ·DZ verb (used with object) preproved preproved or preproven preproving
  • -DZiԲ adjective
  • i·DZIJ adjective
  • un·DZa· adjective
  • ܲ·DZ adjective
  • ܲ·DZIJ adjective
  • ܲ·DZiԲ adjective
  • ɱ-DZ adjective
  • ɱ-DZIJ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prove1

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English proven, from Old French prover, from Latin Dz “to try, test, prove, approve,” derivative of probus “gǴǻ.” See probity
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prove1

C12: from Old French prover, from Latin Dz to test, from probus honest
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with prove , also see exception proves the rule .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

While Romanians are concerned about the alleged foreign interference, many are outraged that there is still no publicly available evidence undeniably proving Russian interference in the election.

From

However, scientists from the University of Bath and the University of Calgary in Canada, have set out to prove that cleaners - and similar devices, such as lawnmowers - could be reprogrammed and modified relatively easily.

From

He added that Mr Mears had killed Catherine Flynn "brutally", but said they would endeavour to prove that the defence of diminished responsibility applies.

From

The court heard the men had proven expertise to fell a large tree with a video of them doing so filmed just weeks before.

From

More than any particular policy, Trump’s second try at the presidency has proved a stark departure from the first because, this time around, he is testing whether any limits exist on executive authority.

From

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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.

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