Proof Meaning
/pɹuːf/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.
nounThe degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments which induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
Sentence Examples
People are often quite skeptical about things unless given believable proof.
We have absolute proof that smoking is bad for your health.
I don't want to make an accusation until I have some proof.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found a fingerprint on the glass, which served as ____ that the suspect was there.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist presented compelling ____ that the new compound was effective against the bacteria.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English proof, from Old French prove, from Late Latin proba (“a proof”), from Latin probō (“to prove”); see prove; compare also the doublet probe.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"France I more praise and love; you are, my lord,
Yourself for horsemanship much famed; and there
You shall have many proofs to shew your skill."
— c. 1633, John Ford, Love's Sacrifice, Act 1, Scene 1:
"A given quantity of the spirits was poured upon a quantity of gunpowder in a dish and set on fire. If at the end of the combustion, the gunpowder continued dry enough, it took fire and exploded; but if it had been wetted by the water in the spirits, the flame of the alcohol went out without setting the powder on fire. This was called the proof."
— 1831, Thomas Thomson, A System of Chemistry of Inorganic Bodies, volume 2:
"I'll have some proof."
— c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
"It was a grand sentence of Emanuel Swedenborg, which would alone indicate the greatness of that man's perception, — "It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases; but to be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, this is the mark and character of intelligence.""
— 1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The Over-Soul”, in Essays: First Series:
"Faith, faith is an island in the setting sun
But proof, yes
Proof is the bottom line for everyone"
— 1990 October 16, Paul Simon, “Proof”, in The Rhythm of the Saints, Warner Bros.:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found a fingerprint on the glass, which served as ____ that the suspect was there.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist presented compelling ____ that the new compound was effective against the bacteria.