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prove

v. · n.
US //ˈpɹuv// UK //pɹˈuːv// prove
Irregular verb past proved past participle proven / proved
  1. 1 to show truth (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to show that something is definitely true by using facts or evidence.

    to demonstrate the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The police had enough evidence to prove that he was at the scene.

    Example

    The researchers published a peer-reviewed paper to prove their hypothesis regarding the long-term effects of the new medication.
    Pitfall
    He proved me that I was wrong.
    He proved to me that I was wrong.

    When you prove something to a person, you must use the preposition 'to' before the person.

  2. 2 to turn out to be (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to show a particular quality or result after some time.

    to manifest a particular quality or result over time. Often functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective or 'to be'.

    Example

    The new task proved to be much more difficult than we first thought.

    Example

    Initial skepticism regarding the merger proved unfounded as the company's stock price climbed steadily throughout the following quarter.
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  1. 3 to test or verify (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    to test something to see if it is good, strong, or works correctly.

    to put to the test or make trial of; to establish the validity or technical genuineness of something.

    Example

    The lawyer had to prove the will in court before the family could inherit the money.

    Example

    Before the new artillery could be deployed, each unit had to be proved under extreme pressure to ensure structural integrity.
  2. 4 dough rising (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    to leave dough in a warm place so it gets bigger before baking.

    to allow dough to rise by the action of yeast; to test the activity of yeast before mixing.

    Example

    You should prove the dough for an hour until it has doubled in size.

    Example

    If you fail to prove the bread sufficiently, the final loaf will be dense and lack the desired airy texture.

    Usage

    Often spelled 'proof' in American English, but 'prove' is common in British English.
  3. 5 printing a trial (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Printing

    to print a trial copy of something to check for mistakes.

    to take a trial impression of type or a plate for the purpose of making corrections.

    Example

    The editor asked the printer to prove the final pages before the main run.

    Example

    The lithographer carefully proved the plate to ensure the colors were aligned perfectly before starting the full production cycle.
  4. 6 the rising process (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    the time or process of letting bread dough rise.

    the stage in bread baking where the shaped dough is left to rise before entering the oven.

    Example

    The bread needs a long, slow prove in the fridge to develop more flavor.

    Example

    During the final prove, the baker monitored the ambient temperature closely to prevent the yeast from over-fermenting.
Etymology 1

From Middle English proven, from Old English prōfian (“to esteem, regard as, evince, try, prove”) and Old French prover (“to prove”), both from Latin probō (“test, try, examine, approve, show to be good or fit, prove”, verb), from probus (“good, worthy, excellent”), from Proto-Indo-European pro-bʰuH-s (“being in front, prominent”), from pro-, per- (“toward”) + bʰuH- (“to be”). Displaced native Middle English sothen (“to prove”), from Old English sōþian (“to prove”). Doublet of probe. More at for, be, soothe.

Etymology 2

Simple past form of proove, conjugated as a Germanic strong verb, on the pattern of choose → chose.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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