re-prove

[ ree-proov ]

verb (used with or without object)

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

1. to prove again.

Word History and Origins

Origin of re-prove¹

First recorded in 1520–30; re- + prove

More About Re Prove

What does re-prove mean?

Re-prove means to prove again. It is a different word than reprove, which means to criticize or correct.

The prove in re-prove usually means to establish the truth or genuineness of something with evidence or through a factual argument. (But it can refer to other meanings, too.) Re-prove is often spelled with a hyphen so that it won’t be confused with reprove, but it also seen without the hyphen. (In those cases, the reader is expected to understand the meaning based on the context.)

Example: I have proved and re-proved that this man is innocent.

Where does re-prove come from?

The first record of re-prove is from the 1500s. It combines the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with prove, which comes from the Latin term probāre, meaning “to try, test, prove, or approve.”

Re-prove can be applied in a variety of ways depending on what meaning of prove is being used. But in all cases, it consists of performing the action of proving (whatever it might involve) again. For example, a person may have to re-prove their innocence if the evidence that cleared them is destroyed. A math student may have to prove a problem for homework and then re-prove it in front of the class.

Prove also means to demonstrate that one can meet certain expectations or standards, such as those of skill or courage. If you have to re-prove yourself at work, it might mean you have a new boss who doesn’t yet know what you’re capable of. (Don’t worry, you’ll show ’em.)

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of re-prove?

• re-proved
• re-proving
• re-proven

What are some words that share a root or word element with re-prove?

• approve

What are some words that often get used in discussing re-prove?

• evidence
• proof
• innocence
• claim
• truth
• legal

What are some words re-prove may be commonly confused with?

• reprove
• re-proof

How is re-proved used in real life?

Re-prove is often used in the context of something that requires formal proof, such as science, math, and legal proceedings.

Lilly on geometry proofs: some mathematician already proved it before. Why do I have to re-prove it?!

— Alex Iskold💡2048 Ventures (@alexiskold) December 6, 2018

Business 2018

8 years ago a major finance business went belly up. It owed me money at the time.

8 years of lawyers winding that big company up later, they tell me I might, might, get 1c in the dollar IF I get my lawyers to re-prove my case.

Hundreds of millions to lawyers.

— Old Soldier (@OMGTheMess) September 11, 2018

how many times Deshaun Watson gotta re-prove himself before he get his deserved respect?

— Dylan McDuffie (@dylanmcduffie_) April 28, 2017

Try using re-prove!

Is re-prove used correctly in the following sentence?

I have been required to re-prove my claims several times already by presenting the same evidence again and again.