prove

[ proov ]

verb (used with object)

, proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

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. Also Printing. to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).
8. to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.
9. Archaic. to experience.

verb (used without object)

, proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

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

/ 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)

   he proved to be invaluable

   this has proved useless

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

Usage Note

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.

Derived Forms

• ˌprovaˈbility, noun
• ˈprovable, adjective
• ˈprovably, adverb

Other Words From

• prova·ble adjective
• prova·bili·ty prova·ble·ness noun
• prova·bly adverb
• proven·ly adverb
• prover noun
• half-proved adjective
• half-proven adjective
• non·prova·ble adjective
• over·prove verb (used with object) overproved overproved or overproven overproving
• pre·prove verb (used with object) preproved preproved or preproven preproving
• self-proving adjective
• semi·proven adjective
• un·prova·ble adjective
• un·proved adjective
• un·proven adjective
• un·proving adjective
• well-proved adjective
• well-proven adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prove¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prove¹

C12: from Old French prover, from Latin probāre to test, from probus honest

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with prove , also see exception proves the rule .

Example Sentences

Experienced practitioners like Arctaris and Four Points prove that OZs can generate both impact and returns.

From Fortune

The play from Miami’s youth has proven that Butler and Spoelstra’s trust was not misplaced.

From FiveThirtyEight

SteelHouse Performance TV, our CTV ad solution, has proven especially effective at driving key metrics for our advertisers in 2020.

From Search Engine Land

The model of development with a proven record of success has been revealed as extremely dangerous if it continues as it has in the past.

From Vox

Ample examples exist to prove the effectiveness of guest posting in gaining brand visibility.

From Search Engine Watch

The digital dating sphere can prove tricky, and bruising, for the trans user.

From The Daily Beast

Lee and Coogan did briefly meet with the pope, with pictures to prove it, but no one at the Vatican officially screened the film.

From The Daily Beast

But if you have a hearing and you prove that someone is mature enough, well then that state interest evaporates.

From The Daily Beast

Week after week, The Daily Beast features classic stories from the past that prove great writing is timeless.

From The Daily Beast

He did not plead guilty, and has regularly filed petitions in an effort to prove his innocence.

From The Daily Beast

Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for or against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly, the question "How far does the note issue under the new system seem likely to prove an elastic one?"

From Project Gutenberg

The pictures of flowers which this artist paints prove her to be a devoted lover of nature.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall therefore, in my effort to prove the Bible fallible, quote almost wholly from Christian critics.

From Project Gutenberg

Letters coming from him from time to time prove that he was alive and well at least until three months ago.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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