Prove Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
prove
[pruหv ]
Definitions
in logic
Demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence or argument.
Synonyms
confirm, demonstrate, establish, substantiate, verify.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prove |
Used when you want to show that something is true based on evidence or argument. It is often used in legal, scientific, or formal contexts.
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| demonstrate |
Used when you want to show how something works or to illustrate a point clearly. Often used in educational, technical, or presentation settings.
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| establish |
Used when you want to set something up on a firm or permanent basis. It is often used in contexts related to rules, systems, or institutions.
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| verify |
Used when you want to check the accuracy or truth of something. This is common in contexts involving authentication or validation.
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| substantiate |
Used when you want to support a claim or assertion with evidence. Often used in legal, academic, or formal discussions.
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| confirm |
Used to reiterate the truth or accuracy of something that has already been indicated or expected. It is common in everyday and formal contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The concept is difficult to prove
- He had to prove his innocence in court
in practice
Show to be right or reasonable.
Synonyms
corroborate, endorse, justify, support, validate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prove |
Used when you need to show that something is true by providing evidence or logical reasoning. It's often used in scientific, academic, or legal settings.
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| justify |
Used when providing reasons or explanations to show that an action or decision is reasonable, necessary, or just. Often used in ethical or moral discussions.
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| validate |
Used when you want to confirm the accuracy or truth of something, often with official documents, procedures, or experiments.
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| support |
Used for showing approval, assistance, or help towards a person, idea, or cause. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts.
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| endorse |
Used when someone publicly supports or approves something or someone, usually related to public figures or marketing.
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| corroborate |
Used when you want to provide additional evidence or support to strengthen an already existing claim. Often used in legal or investigative contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The decision proved to be correct
- Her theory was later proved wrong
in mathematics
A test or trial version of a product, especially software.
Synonyms
beta version, test version, trial version.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prove |
Employed when you are demonstrating something is true or correct, often with evidence or logical arguments.
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| trial version |
Often used in marketing to refer to a version of a product that is available to users for free for a limited time to test its features.
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| beta version |
Used in software development to refer to a version that is not final and is released to a limited audience for testing.
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| test version |
Commonly used in both software and other contexts to refer to a preliminary version created for the purpose of testing.
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Examples of usage
- The company released a beta prove of their new app
- I downloaded the prove to test it out
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Context
- In court, the burden of proof lies with the party making a claim, meaning they must prove their case.
- Different legal systems have varying standards, such as 'beyond a reasonable doubt' in criminal cases, to determine what it means to successfully prove a point.
- In civil cases, the standard is usually 'preponderance of the evidence', meaning one side simply needs to prove their claim is more likely true than not.
Psychology
- Proving a point can create a sense of validation and confidence, reflecting the importance of evidence in cognitive processes.
- Social proof, a psychological phenomenon, shows that people often rely on evidence presented by others to shape their beliefs.
- Research suggests that proving what you assert can also influence group dynamics and decision-making.
Science
- In scientific research, proving a hypothesis involves experimenting and collecting data to support or refute it.
- The scientific method emphasizes the importance of reproducibility in proving an experimentโs results.
- Famous theories, like evolution, were proved over time through extensive evidence and research across various disciplines.
Literature
- In storytelling, characters often face challenges where they must prove their worth or abilities, driving the plot forward.
- Famous literary works often include motifs of proving one's identity or truth, such as in Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible'.
- Poetry frequently employs the theme of proving love or loyalty, illustrating deeper emotional truths.
Origin of 'prove'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'probare', which means to test or examine.
- It entered Middle English through the Old French word 'prover', carrying the same meaning of testing or demonstrating.
- The use of the word has evolved to cover both legal and scientific contexts in modern language.
The word 'prove' originated from the Old French word 'prover' which means 'to establish, prove'. It has been used in the English language since the 12th century. The term has evolved over time to represent the act of demonstrating the truth or validity of something through evidence or argument.
See also: disprove, provable, proved, proven, reprove, unproven.