prove

American  

[proov] / pruv /

verb (used with object)

proved, proved, proven, proving

1. to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument.

   to prove one's claim.

   Synonyms:

   verify, substantiate, confirm, demonstrate

   Antonyms:

   disprove

2. Law. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will); probate.

3. to give demonstration of by action.

4. to subject to a test, experiment, comparison, analysis, or the like, to determine quality, amount, acceptability, characteristics, etc..

   to prove ore.

5. to show (oneself ) to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions.

6. Mathematics. to verify the correctness or validity of by mathematical demonstration or arithmetical proof.

7. Printing. Also to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).

8. to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.

9. Archaic. to experience.

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verb (used without object)

proved, proved, proven, proving

1. to turn out.

   The experiment proved to be successful.

2. to be found by trial or experience to be.

   His story proved false.

3. (of dough) to rise to a specified lightness.

   Leave covered until it has proved.

prove British  

/ pruːv /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to establish or demonstrate the truth or validity of; verify, esp by using an established sequence of procedures or statements

2. to establish the quality of, esp by experiment or scientific analysis

3. law to establish the validity and genuineness of (a will)

4. to show (oneself) able or courageous

5. (copula) to be found or shown (to be)

   this has proved useless

   he proved to be invaluable

6. printing to take a trial impression of (type, etc)

7. (intr) (of dough) to rise in a warm place before baking

8. archaic to undergo

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prove Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing prove

• exception proves the rule

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Usage

Either proved or proven is standard as the past participle of prove : Events have proved (or proven ) him wrong. As a modifier, proven is by far the more common: a proven fact.

Other Word Forms

• half-proved adjective
• half-proven adjective
• nonprovable adjective
• overprove verb (used with object)
• preprove verb (used with object)
• provability noun
• provable adjective
• provableness noun
• provably adverb
• provenly adverb
• prover noun
• self-proving adjective
• semiproven adjective
• unprovable adjective
• unproved adjective
• unproven adjective
• unproving adjective
• well-proved adjective
• well-proven adjective

Etymology

Origin of prove

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English proven, from Old French prover, from Latin probāre “to try, test, prove, approve,” derivative of probus “good.” See probity

Explanation

When you prove something, you show that it's true. If you say you love eating raw eggs, you may have to prove it by chugging a few. When someone asks you to prove something, you need evidence, also known as proof. Prove comes from the Latin root probare, "to test or prove worthy." The word’s meaning is clear in this quote from writer Ernest Holmes: "There was a time when a man was so convinced that the world was round that he was determined to prove it." As a transitive verb, prove requires an object to receive the action, as in "How can you prove your claim?" It can also be intransitive, as in "You might prove to be right."

Example Sentences

The mission was the second of the Artemis program, which aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time since the 1970s and prove the U.S.’s space superiority over rivals, namely China.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Meanwhile, the head of the International Energy Agency warned Monday that April could prove a tougher month than March for energy markets and the economy.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

While satisfied that he had won, Cook was upset at the time and effort it had taken him to prove his case.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Let me answer your request with a question of my own: How would you prove to me that you are conscious?...

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

“And, too,” she thought, “if I prove helpful regarding her mail, it might smooth things over between us. But truly, what an unexpected reversal! Why so many letters, after so few?”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• confirm
• convince
• demonstrate
• determine
• explain
• find
• justify
• result
• show
• substantiate
• test
• try
• turn out
• validate
• verify