proof
noun/pruːf/
/pruːf/
Word Family
Idioms - prove verb (≠ disprove)
- proof noun
- proven adjective (≠ unproven)
- [uncountable, countable] information, documents, etc. that show that something is true synonym evidence
- conclusive/definitive/scientific proof
- The police suspected him of dealing drugs, but they didn't have any proof.
- to require/need proof
- proof of something Can you provide any proof of identity?
- Keep the receipt as proof of purchase.
- These results are a further proof of his outstanding ability.
- proof (that)… There is no proof that the knife belonged to her.
- Today's unemployment figures are proof positive the government's economic plan isn't working.
- In criminal cases the burden of proof (= requirement to provide proof) is on the prosecution.
- plans to lower the standard of proof required to convict people of crimes under the Terrorism Act
Extra ExamplesTopics Scientific researchb2- We need conclusive proof before we can take this matter to court.
- He is unlikely to make wild accusations without proof.
- The men were acquitted for lack of proof.
- I am living proof that the treatment works.
- The photo was final proof of her husband's infidelity.
- Her account gives us no concrete proof of his guilt.
- Have you got any positive proof that she took the money?
- I have no real proof that he was in the country at the time.
- We have proof positive that he is in hiding.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- convincing
- direct
- …
- be
- constitute
- have
- …
- without proof
- proof of
- the burden of proof
- the onus of proof
- a lack of proof
- …
Take your English to the next level
The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
- [uncountable] the process of testing whether something is true or a fact
- Is the claim capable of proof?
- [countable] (mathematics) a way of proving that a statement is true or that what you have calculated is correctTopics Maths and measurementc1
- [countable, usually plural] a copy of printed material which is produced so that mistakes can be corrected
- She was checking the proofs of her latest novel.
- [uncountable] a standard used to measure the strength of alcoholic drinks
Word OriginMiddle English preve, from Old French proeve, from late Latin proba, from Latin probare ‘to test, prove’. The change of vowel in late Middle English was due to the influence of prove. Current senses of the verb date from the late 19th cent.
Idioms
See proof in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee proof in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe living proof of something/that…
- to show by your actions or qualities that a particular fact is true
- These figures are living proof of the government's incompetence.
- He is living proof that age is no barrier to new challenges.
the proof of the pudding (is in the eating)
- (saying) you can only judge if something is good or bad when you have tried it
Check pronunciation:
proof