Meaning of prove In English

• 0 to show a particular result after a period of time:

  • The operation proved a complete success.

  • The dispute over the song rights proved impossible to resolve.

  • [ L (+ to be) ] The new treatment has proved to be a disaster.

  • I wish he'd stop trying to prove himself all the time.

• 1 to show that something is true:

  • [ + that ] They suspected that she'd killed him but they could never actually prove that it was her.

  • [ + adj ] They proved him innocent/guilty.

  • Under the present system, you're innocent until proven guilty.

  • [ + question word ] "I lost £30 on the bus." "That just goes to prove what an idiot you are!"

  • Computers have been used to prove mathematical theorems.

  • That theory was proved false.

  • He's so aggressive - it's as if he's always trying to prove something.

• 2 to show after a time or by experience that something or someone has a particular quality:

  • [ L ] The dispute over rights to the song could prove impossible to resolve.

  • [ + to infinitive ] The new safety procedures have so far proven to be satisfactory.

  • As a newcomer, I felt I had to prove myself (= show I am skilled).

• 3 to make it clear that something is or is not true:

  • They suspected she cheated, but they could never prove it.

  • [ + (that) clause ] I had to take all my records to the bank to prove (that) the mistake was theirs.

  • Under our legal system, you’re innocent until proven guilty.