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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | prover, from Latin probare; PROBE2 |
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Related topics:prove S2 W1
past tense proved, past participle proved or proven
especially American English
past tense proved, past participle proved or proven
especially American English1 to show that something is true by providing facts, information etc [↪ proof]: 
You're wrong, and I can prove it.To prove his point (=show that he was right), he mentioned several other experiments which had produced similar results. ! You prove something to someone: I will prove to you (NOT prove you) that I'm right.
show something is true
[transitive]You're wrong, and I can prove it. prove somebody's guilt/innocence He claims the police destroyed records that could prove the officer's guilt.
He claims the police destroyed records that could prove the officer's guilt.To prove his point (=show that he was right), he mentioned several other experiments which had produced similar results.2 if someone or something proves difficult, helpful, a problem etc, they are difficult, helpful, a problem etc : The recent revelations may prove embarrassing to the President.
be
[linking verb]The recent revelations may prove embarrassing to the President.3 to show how good you are at doing something : When I first started this job, I felt I had to prove myself.
prove yourself/prove something (to somebody)
When I first started this job, I felt I had to prove myself.4 to show other people that you are a particular type of person : She's proved herself to be a very reliable worker.
prove yourself (to be) something
She's proved herself to be a very reliable worker.5 said when you are annoyed by someone's actions and do not understand them
what is somebody trying to prove?
spoken6 if someone does something to prove a point, they do it to show that they are right or that they can do something : I'm not going to run the marathon just to prove a point.
prove a point
I'm not going to run the marathon just to prove a point.7 if dough (=unbaked bread mixture) proves, it rises and becomes light because of the yeast in it
bread
[intransitive]DFC8 to show that a will has been made in the correct way
law
[transitive] lawSCL! Do not use 'prove' to mean 'make something better.' Use improve: a chance to improve your EnglishWORD FOCUS: court
people in a court of law: judge, magistrate, jury, defence British English/defense American English, prosecution, defendant, witness, attorney, lawyer, barrister British English, solicitor British English, district attorney American English
what happens in a court case:At the beginning of the trial, the person who is accused pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. The lawyers for the prosecution try to prove that the defendant is guilty, and the lawyers for the defence try to prove that their client is innocent. The judge and the jury examine the evidence and listen to the testimony of the witnesses. At the end of the trial, the judge then sums up the case, and the jury then gives their verdict. If the person is found guilty, the judge sentences them to a period of time in prison, or orders them to pay a fine. If the person is found not guilty, they are released.court
➔ See also court
—provable adjective
WORD FOCUS: court WORD FOCUS: court people in a court of law: judge, magistrate, jury, defence British English/defense American English, prosecution, defendant, witness, attorney, lawyer, barrister British English, solicitor British English, district attorney American English
what happens in a court case:At the beginning of the trial, the person who is accused pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. The lawyers for the prosecution try to prove that the defendant is guilty, and the lawyers for the defence try to prove that their client is innocent. The judge and the jury examine the evidence and listen to the testimony of the witnesses. At the end of the trial, the judge then sums up the case, and the jury then gives their verdict. If the person is found guilty, the judge sentences them to a period of time in prison, or orders them to pay a fine. If the person is found not guilty, they are released.court
➔ See also court
