prove verb (SHOW)
B2 [ T, L ] to show a particular result after a period of time:
The dispute over the song rights proved impossible to resolve.
[ L (+ to be) ] The new treatment has proved to be a disaster.
prove yourself
More examples
- The army has proved ineffective in protecting the civilian population.
- The policy of charging air travellers for vegetarian meals proved very unpopular.
- The government's claim that it would reduce taxes proved false.
- Such data will prove invaluable to researchers.
- Your daughter's attitude only goes to prove how much society has changed over the last 30 years.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
prove verb (SHOWING TRUTH)
B1 [ T ] to show that something is true:
[ + that ] They suspected that she'd killed him but they could never actually prove that it was her.
[ + 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.
He's so aggressive - it's as if he's always trying to prove something.
More examples
- It will be very difficult to prove that they are guilty.
- The crime of rape is notoriously difficult to prove.
- She only bought that sports car to show off and prove she could afford one.
- The tape recordings provided enough evidence to prove he'd been involved in the conspiracy.
- The traces of petrol found on his clothing provided the forensic evidence proving that he had started the fire deliberately.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
