probative

[ proh-buh-tiv, prob-uh- ]

adjective

1. serving or designed for testing or trial.
2. affording proof or evidence.

probative

/ -trɪ; ˈprəʊbətərɪ; ˈprəʊbətɪv /

adjective

1. serving to test or designed for testing
2. providing proof or evidence

Derived Forms

• ˈprobatively, adverb

Other Words From

• proba·tive·ly adverb
• non·proba·tive adjective
• non·proba·tory adjective
• un·proba·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of probative¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French probatif < Latin probātīvus of proof. See probate, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of probative¹

C15: from Late Latin probātīvus concerning proof

Example Sentences

Can we eagerly look forward to academic investigation of vampires or probative studies of alien abductions?

From The Daily Beast

But Quintilian has less faith in the probative value of fictitious examples than he has in those drawn from authentic history.

From Project Gutenberg

Ap′probatory, Ap′probative, of or belonging to one who approves.

From Project Gutenberg

Let a sufficient amount of probative evidence be addressed to the eye, the act of believing must follow.

From Project Gutenberg

The second clause, relating to instances in which the phenomenon is absent, depends for its probative force upon Prop.

From Project Gutenberg

Certainly, there seems to be some illusion in the common belief in the probative force of prediction.

From Project Gutenberg