# proofing

/ˈpɹufɪŋ/ (US) · /pɹˈuːfɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/proofing
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

letting dough rest and rise before you bake it. This step makes the bread light and fluffy.

For teachers: the process of allowing dough to rest and ferment, enabling the yeast to produce carbon dioxide and expand the gluten structure. Often used in the context of bread-making or other leavened baked goods.

## Examples

- The dough needs an hour of proofing before baking.
- After kneading the dough for ten minutes, the baker covered it and let it proof in a warm kitchen.
- Proper proofing is essential for developing the bread's texture; if the dough is under-proofed, the final product will be dense and heavy, lacking the desired airy crumb.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.