prove
pruːv
proven
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of prove - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

tr.
1.
demonstrate truthdemonstrate that something is true with evidence
  • She proved her theory with solid evidence.
confirm validate verify
2.
test qualitysubject to a test to determine quality, durability, or worth
  • The prototype was proved under harsh conditions..
test verify
3.
mathematicsTECH.demonstrate by a formal mathematical proofTECH.
  • She proved the theorem in her paper.
validate verify
4.
truthintr.turn out to be true or have a qualityintr.
  • The plan proved successful in the end.
confirm demonstrate verify
5.
bakingTECH.UKallow dough to rise before bakingTECH.UK
  • Let the dough prove for an hour.
ferment proof
6.
validate willTECH.UKestablish the validity of a willTECH.UK
  • The lawyer proved the will in court.
authenticate verify
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with prove

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
demonstrate value or ability
She worked hard to prove her worth to the team.
demonstrate great usefulness or importance in a situation
Her advice proved invaluable during the crisis.
exceptions show that a general rule is usually true
There are a few late students, but the exceptions prove the rule.
show exceptions that confirm a general rule's usual truth
Exceptions that prove the rule show the rule is mostly true.
demonstrate courage or determination
The soldiers proved their mettle in the face of the enemy.
show lack or fail to meet expected standards
The new policy proved wanting in addressing the real issues.

Origin of prove

Latin, probare (to test)

Terms with prove included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
utility
prove to be useful or helpful
official document
card used to prove who someone officially is
identification
plastic or digital pass used to prove identity and unlock protected places
verification
prove to be the case after investigation
prove innocence
prove someone is not guilty of a crime
proof
prove or make something evident
prove with documents
provide written evidence or references
legal
material presented in court to prove a point

Examples of prove in a sentence

  • The scientist aimed to prove the hypothesis with experiments.
  • The new material was proved in extreme temperatures.
  • The software was proved through rigorous testing.
  • He set out to prove the conjecture with a detailed proof.
  • The mathematician aimed to prove the complex equation.
  • His innocence was proved by the evidence.

View all translations of prove

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:prouver, éprouver, ...
  2. German:beweisen, testen, ...
  3. Italian:dimostrare, verificare, ...
  4. Spanish:demostrar, verificar, ...
  5. Portuguese:provar, testar, ...
  6. Chinese:证明, 测试, ...
  7. Japanese:証明する, 試験する, ...
  8. Arabic:أَثْبَتَ, اخْتَبَرَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְהוֹכִיחַ, לְנַסּוֹת, ...
  10. Russian:доказывать, проверять, ...
  11. Ukrainian:доводити, перевіряти, ...
  12. Hindi:साबित करना, परीक्षण करना, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “p”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery