prove
Verb (Transitive):
- To establish the truth or validity of something through evidence, argument, or demonstration: To show that something is true or correct by providing facts, logical reasoning, or experimental results.
- To demonstrate the genuineness or quality of something by testing or using it: To subject something to a test or trial to confirm its properties, worth, or effectiveness.
- To show (oneself) to have a particular quality or ability through action: To demonstrate one's character or capability by one's deeds or behavior.
Verb (Intransitive):
- To be shown or found to be a certain way; to turn out: Used to describe a situation where something or someone is ultimately revealed to have a particular characteristic or outcome.
Transitive Verb:
- The scientist conducted an experiment to prove the theory. (The scientist performed an experiment to establish the theory's validity.)
- He was able to prove his innocence with an alibi. (He was able to demonstrate his innocence was true by providing an alibi.)
- The new method proved its efficiency in reducing costs. (The new method demonstrated its efficiency through results.)
Intransitive Verb (often followed by 'to be'):
- His assumptions proved to be incorrect. (His assumptions were ultimately found to be wrong.)
- The difficult situation proved how resilient she was. (The difficult situation revealed her resilience.)
- It proves impossible to finish on time. (It turns out to be impossible to finish on time.)
"The exception proves the rule": An idiom meaning that the existence of an exception confirms that a general rule exists, as it highlights what is normal by contrast.
- He's usually very punctual, so his being late today just proves the rule. (His lateness today, being unusual, confirms his general punctuality.)
"Prove oneself": To demonstrate one's worth, ability, or character through actions.
- She had to prove herself in the new role before getting a promotion. (She had to demonstrate her capability in the new position.)
Proof (noun): Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
- He provided concrete proof of his identity.
Proven (adjective, also past participle): Having been demonstrated or verified.
- She has a proven track record in management.
- A proven method.
Disprove (verb): To prove that something is false.
- New evidence disproved the old hypothesis.
- Demonstrate: To show clearly by giving proof or evidence.
- Verify: To confirm the truth or accuracy of something.
- Establish: To set up or show to be valid on a firm basis.
- Confirm: To state or show that something is definitely true or correct.
- Attest: To provide or serve as clear evidence of.
- Prove out: To be shown to be effective, successful, or true over time or through testing.
- The new software will need to prove out in real-world conditions. (The new software will need to demonstrate its effectiveness in practical use.)
Prove a point: To demonstrate that one's opinion or argument is correct.
- He drove recklessly just to prove a point, which was very dangerous. (He drove dangerously simply to demonstrate his argument.)
The proof of the pudding is in the eating: The real value or quality of something can only be judged when it is put to use or experienced.
- The design looks good, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating—we need to test it. (The true test of the design is how it works in practice.)
- obtain probate of
- prove a will
- take a trial impression of
- cause to puff up with a leaven
- unleavened bread
- increase in volume
- the dough rose slowly in the warm room
- put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
- This approach has been tried with good results
- Test this recipe
- prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof
- provide evidence for
- The blood test showed that he was the father
- Her behavior testified to her incompetence
- establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
- The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound
- The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture
- be shown or be found to be
- She proved to be right
- The medicine turned out to save her life
- She turned up HIV positive