English Dictionary
Definition proof in British English
proof
noun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
noun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
▪ ample, clear, conclusive, final, further, irrefutable, scientific, sufficient, tangible
When proof means ‘information that proves something’, it is almost always an uncountable noun, and so:
▪ it rarely comes after a or a number
▪ it is rarely used in the plural
✗ The fact that science never stops developing is a proof that man never stops using his imagination.
✓ The fact that science never stops developing is proof that man never stops using his imagination.
✗ There are no proofs that homosexual couples are not able to bring up healthy, stable children.
✓ There is no proof that homosexual couples are not able to bring up healthy, stable children.
The countable noun proof (usually found in the plural) is a technical word for a copy of a book or article which has to be checked before being printed:
The corrected proofs have been delivered to the printer.
information or evidence that shows that something is definitely true or definitely exists
Do you have any proof of identity (=a document such as a passport that proves who you are)?
Do you have any proof that this is true?
