prove

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To show that something is true by giving evidence.

   She proved that her theory was correct.

2. 2
   verb

   To turn out to be a certain way.

   The new method proved to be very effective.

3. 3
   verb

   To put something to the test in order to check it.

   They took the new car to a track to prove its speed.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Prove is recorded from Middle English and comes from Latin probare, “to test” or “prove.”

From Middle English proven, from Old English prōfian (“to esteem, regard as, evince, try, prove”) and Old French prover (“to prove”), both from Latin probō (“test, try, examine, approve, show to be good or fit, prove”, verb), from probus (“good, worthy, excellent”), from Proto-Indo-European *pro-bʰuH-s (“being in front, prominent”), from *pro-, *per- (“toward”) + *bʰuH- (“to be”). Displaced native Middle English sothen (“to prove”), from Old English sōþian (“to prove”). Doublet of probe. More at for, be, soothe.

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
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