PROVE
What does "PROVE" mean?
To demonstrate the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument.
Meanings
- To establish the truth or validity of something with evidence or reasoning. The fingerprints proved he had been in the room.
- To turn out to be a certain way; to be shown by events. The shortcut proved longer than the main road.
- Of dough, to rise as the yeast ferments before baking. Leave the dough to prove in a warm spot for an hour. technical
- To test the quality or capability of someone or something. The new recruit was eager to prove herself on the first mission.
Did you know?
- In the saying 'the exception that proves the rule', 'prove' carries its original Latin sense of 'test' - the exception tests the rule, it doesn't magically confirm it.
Word origin
From Latin 'probare' ('to test, approve, demonstrate as good'), from 'probus' ('good, honest'); via Old French 'prover' into Middle English.
Remember it
PROVE shares its root 'probare' with PROBE - you prove a claim by probing it.
A little poem
You asked for proof; I brought the whole night sky-
but stars don't argue, and you still walked by.
couplet
Wordplay
- The baker insisted he could prove his bread was good. He let it rise, and the loaf agreed.
What it teaches
Proof convinces the mind, but rarely the heart that has already decided.
Quick facts
What does PROVE mean?
To demonstrate the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument.
Is PROVE a valid word?
Yes — PROVE is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is PROVE?
PROVE has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does PROVE come from?
From Latin 'probare' ('to test, approve, demonstrate as good'), from 'probus' ('good, honest'); via Old French 'prover' into Middle English.
What can PROVE teach us?
Proof convinces the mind, but rarely the heart that has already decided.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.