prove

S2 W1

BrE /prəʊv/ AmE /proʊv/

verb en → es

past proved pp proved ing proving

1 SHOW TRUTH [transitive] B1

to show that something is true or correct by giving evidence or reasons

demostrar, probar, comprobar

  • prove sth to sb

Collocations prove a point · prove one's innocence

  • The evidence proved his guilt.

    La evidencia demostró su culpabilidad.

2 WORK [intransitive] B1

to work or function successfully; to be effective

funcionar, funcionar bien, ser efectivo

  • prove as sth

Collocations prove successful · prove effective

  • The new system proved to be very efficient.

    El nuevo sistema resultó muy eficiente.

3 BET [transitive] C1

to make a bet or promise that something will happen, especially if it is unlikely to happen

apostar, jurar, prometer

  • prove sth

Collocations prove a point · prove a theory

  • He proved his love by giving her expensive gifts.

    Demostró su amor regalándole obsequios caros.

Phrasal verbs

prove up LEGAL C1

demostrar, comprobar legalmente

  • The farmer had to prove up his claim.

    El granjero tuvo que demostrar su reclamación.

prove out TEST C1

probar, comprobar

  • The new drug proved out to be effective.

    La nueva droga resultó efectiva.

prove down DENY C1

demostrar la falsedad, refutar

  • The defense tried to prove down the charges.

    La defensa intentó demostrar la falsedad de las acusaciones.

prove in FORMAL C1

probar, comprobar formalmente

  • The new judge was proved in at the courthouse.

    El nuevo juez fue probado en el tribunal.

prove out to be RESULT C1

resultar ser, probarse a ser

  • The plan proved out to be impractical.

    El plan resultó ser poco práctico.

Idioms

prove too much C1

demostrar demasiado, probar más de lo necesario

  • The evidence proved to be too much for the jury.

    La evidencia resultó ser demasiada para el jurado.

prove a point C1

demostrar un punto, probar algo

  • He proved his point by showing the data.

    Demostró su punto mostrando los datos.

prove a theory C1

demostrar una teoría, probar algo

  • The experiment proved the theory.

    El experimento demostró la teoría.