prove
//ˈpɹuːv//
Forms
- present (v1)
- prove
- past (v2)
- proved
- past participle (v3)
- proved
- present participle
- proving
- 3rd person singular
- proves
- Plural
- proves
Definitions
1.To demonstrate that something is true or viable; to give proof for; to bear out; to testify.
- I will prove that my method is more effective than yours.
- Importantly, the hypothesis cannot be proven to be true, it can only be proven to be false.
2.To turn out; to manifest.
- It proved to be a cold day.
3.To turn out to be.
- Have an exit strategy should your calculations prove incorrect.
- This battle did not take place in the streets. It took place entirely in words, and it was to prove the turning point in the war.
4.To put to the test, to make trial of.
- They took the experimental car to the proving-grounds.
- The exception proves the rule.
1.The process of dough proofing.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #836
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
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”).