proving
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.showing that something is definitely true by using facts or evidence.
v.demonstrating the truth or validity of a proposition through evidence or logical argument.
Simple“Proving his innocence took many years and a lot of hard work.”
In context“Proving the theorem required a sophisticated understanding of non-Euclidean geometry that few in the department possessed.”
UsageOften followed by a 'that' clause or a direct object.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.becoming or showing itself to be a certain way over time.
v.turning out to be or manifesting a particular quality in the course of time.
Simple“The new software is proving very useful for our daily tasks.”
In context“The initial investment is proving more lucrative than the board had anticipated, despite the volatile market conditions.”
UsageCommonly used with an adjective as a complement.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.the process of testing how a substance affects the body.
n.the systematic process of testing a substance on healthy subjects to observe its effects.
Simple“The scientist spent months on the proving of the new herbal extract.”
In context“The clinical proving of the compound revealed several unexpected side effects that necessitated a complete revision of the dosage guidelines.”
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized sense mostly found in historical or alternative medicine contexts; general learners should focus on the verb forms.
Synonymstestingtrialing
From Middle English provyng, pryvynge, equivalent to prove + -ing.
From Middle English provyng, prevyng, provynge, prevynge, preovyng, prufunge, preofunge, from Old English *prōfung, equivalent to prove + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.