verb

prove

PROOV/pruːv/

To establish the truth or character of something through evidence.

The student aligns the wooden strips to prove they are equally long.

A student demonstrates that two measured wooden strips are equal by aligning their ends exactly, teacher observes clear physical proof.

Etymology

Latin probare connected testing something with demonstrating its worth or truth. Prove developed from trying something by experience into establishing that it is true, including by argument.

In context

Marc Stevens41:05

do you have any evidence to prove your claims true any evidence what evidence do you have to prove

No State Project Live ep 72 Sunk Cost Fallacy

More examples

These receipts prove that I paid the bill.
She has proven her ability to lead the team.
The repair proved more expensive than we expected.

Forms

prove · proves · proved · proven · proving

proof noun — Evidence that establishes the truth of something.

provable adjective — Capable of being established as true.

Similar words

demonstrate: Often establishes truth by showing how something works.
substantiate: Supports a claim with evidence without necessarily settling it conclusively.
verify: Emphasizes checking whether an existing claim or result is correct.