prove

The word “prove” means to show, by evidence or argument, that something is true. In plain terms, to show something is true with evidence, to turn out a certain way over time, or (in cooking) to let dough rise.

“Prove” is pronounced proov (/pɹuːv/ in IPA).

Here is “prove” used in a sentence: “The new data proved the theory correct.”

“Prove” is a verb.

The word “prove” comes from Latin. From Old English prōfian and Old French prover, both from Latin probō, "to test, examine, show to be good" — the same root that gives us "probe" and "probable.".

“Prove” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Prove” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to show, by evidence or argument, that something is true.

'Prove' is the verb, the action of showing something is true, as in 'the data proves the theory.' 'Proof' is the noun, the evidence itself that does the showing, as in 'the data is the proof.' If the word names an action, use prove; if it names a thing, use proof.

Both are accepted past forms of prove. 'Proved' is the traditional past tense and past participle, as in 'she has proved her point.' 'Proven' is also common as a participle and is standard when used as an adjective before a noun, as in 'a proven method.' Either is correct in most sentences.

The words overlap. 'Prove' suggests establishing something as true beyond reasonable doubt, often with hard evidence or logic. 'Demonstrate' can mean the same, but also more loosely means to show or illustrate, so a demonstration may make something clear without settling it conclusively. Prove is the stronger, more final claim.

The main opposite is 'disprove,' meaning to show, with evidence or argument, that something is false. Close alternatives include refute, rebut, and debunk. Where proving establishes that a claim is true, disproving does the reverse, demonstrating that the claim does not hold up under scrutiny.