prove

Universal Words especially in AmE( HELPNOTE In BrE proved is the more common form. Look also at proven. show sth is true 1 ~ sth )to sb( to use facts, evidence, etc. to show that sth is true: [VN] They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence. * 'I know you're lying.' 'Prove it!' * Just give me a chance and I'll prove it to you. * He felt he needed to prove his point )= show other people that he was right(. * Are you just doing this to prove a point? * )spoken( What are you trying to prove? * )spoken( I certainly don't have anything to prove-my record speaks for itself. * [V)that(] This proves )that( I was right. * [VN-ADJ] She was determined to prove everyone wrong. * In this country, you are innocent until proved guilty. * [Vwh-] This just proves what I have been saying for some time. * [VNthat] Can it be proved that he did commit these offences? [also VN-N, VNtoinf] OPPDISPROVE seealsoPROOF be 2 linking verb if sth proves dangerous, expensive, etc. or if it proves to be dangerous, etc., you discover that it is dangerous, etc. over a period of time SYNTURNOUT: [V-ADJ] The opposition proved too strong for him. * It was proving extremely difficult to establish the truth. * [V-N] Shares in the industry proved a poor investment. * His lack of experience may prove a problem in a crisis. * [Vtoinf] The promotion proved to be a turning point in his career. * Their fears proved to be groundless. yourself 3 [VN] ~ yourself )to sb( to show other people how good you are at doing sth or that you are capable of doing sth: He constantly feels he has to prove himself to others. 4 ~ yourself sth / to be sth to show other people that you are a particular type of person or that you have a particular quality: [VN-ADJ] He proved himself determined to succeed. [also VN-N, VNtoinf] of bread 5 [V] to swell before being baked because of the action of YEAST SYNRISE IDIOMS see EXCEPTION ______________________________ WORDFAMILY prove v. )=/= disprove( proof n. proven adj. )=/= unproven( ______________________________