prove

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

prove /ˈpruːv/ verb

proves; proved; proved or chiefly US proven /ˈpruːvən/ ; proving

prove

/ˈpruːv/

verb

proves; proved; proved or chiefly US proven /ˈpruːvən/ ; proving

Britannica Dictionary definition of PROVE

[+ object] : to show the existence, truth, or correctness of (something) by using evidence, logic, etc.

The charges against him were never proved in court.
The government failed to prove its case.
We have evidence that will prove his guilt. = We have evidence that will prove that he is guilty.
It could not be proven that the suspect stole the money.
A person who is charged with a crime is considered innocent until proved/proven guilty.
mathematicians trying to prove a theorem
He climbed the mountain just to prove [=show] (that) he could.
What are you trying to prove by behaving so recklessly? [=why are you behaving so recklessly?]
I've accomplished everything I wanted to; I've got nothing left to prove. [=I do not have to do anything more to show that I am skillful, successful, etc.]
He's willing to do almost anything to prove a point. [=to show that he is right about something]
To prove her point, she got out the old research.

— opposite disprove

[+ object] : to show that (someone or something) has a particular quality, ability, etc.

We have evidence that will prove him (to be) guilty. [=that will prove that he is guilty]
The tests proved the vaccine to be effective.
Her second album was a hit that proved her critics wrong.

[linking verb] : to turn out to be — used to say that something or someone is eventually found to have a particular quality, ability, etc.

prove yourself

: to show that you are able to do something or to succeed

She was eager to prove herself in her new job.
She has proven herself (to be) capable of excellent work. [=she has shown that she is capable of excellent work]