prove

verb \ ˈprüv \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Usage guide: proved or proven?

Examples: prove in a Sentence

Definition of prove

proved; proved or proven play \ˈprü-vən, British also ˈprō-\; proving play \ˈprü-viŋ\

transitive verb

1 archaic : to learn or find out by experience

2 a : to test the truth, validity, or genuineness of

the exception proves the rule

prove a will at probate

b : to test the worth or quality of; specifically : to compare against a standard —sometimes used with up or out

c : to check the correctness of (something, such as an arithmetic result)

3 a : to establish the existence, truth, or validity of (as by evidence or logic)

prove a theorem

the charges were never proved in court

b : to demonstrate as having a particular quality or worth

the vaccine has been proven effective after years of tests

proved herself a great actress

4 : to show (oneself) to be worthy or capable

eager to prove myself in the new job

intransitive verb

: to turn out especially after trial or test

the new drug proved effective

—

provable

play \ˈprü-və-bəl\ adjective

—

provableness

noun

—

provably

play \ˈprü-və-blē\ adverb

—

prover

play \ˈprü-vər\ noun

See prove defined for English-language learners

See prove defined for kids

proved or proven?

The past participle proven, originally the past participle of preve, a Middle English variant of prove that survived in Scotland, has gradually worked its way into standard English over the past three and a half centuries. It seems to have first become established in legal use and to have come only slowly into literary use. Tennyson was one of its earliest frequent users, probably for metrical reasons. It was disapproved by 19th century grammarians, one of whom included it in a list of "words that are not words." Surveys made some 50 or 60 years ago indicated that proved was about four times as frequent as proven. But our evidence from the last 30 or 35 years shows this no longer to be the case. As a past participle proven is now about as frequent as proved in all contexts. As an attributive adjective

- proved or proven gas reserves

proven is much more common than proved.

Examples of prove in a Sentence

The charges against him were never proved in court.
The government failed to prove its case.
It could not be proven that the suspect stole the money.
A person who is charged with a crime is considered innocent until proved guilty.
mathematicians trying to prove a theorem
To prove her point, she got out the old research.
The tests proved the vaccine to be effective.
Her second album was a hit that proved her critics wrong.

Recent Examples of prove from the Web

From Alice in Wonderland (2010) to Beauty and the Beast (2017), these adaptations have proven to be hugely successful, garnering billions of dollars for Walt Disney Studios.

— sydney odman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Aladdin': Everything to Know About the Live-Action Remake of the Disney Classic," 5 July 2018
Then Dion Waiters' ankle proved to be worse than initially thought.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Do Heat 'chips' still have any value?," 5 July 2018
News surrounding the fitness of Kyle Walker and Dele Alli proves to be better reading, however, as the pair are set to be fit for the Sweden game after pulling up with cramp and slight discomfort respectively during the quarter final clash.

— SI.com, "England Handed Harry Kane Boost But Others Remain Major Injury Doubts for Sweden Clash," 5 July 2018
Green’s candidacy may appear to be a losing battle, but activists have proven to be formidable in recent elections.

— terrell jermaine starr, The Root, "Chicago Activist Rides Progressive Wave in Mayor's Race," 5 July 2018
Many service members recruited through the program have proven to be exemplary.

— martha mendoza and garance burke, chicagotribune.com, "Some immigrant Army recruits were promised a path to citizenship. Now they are being quietly discharged.," 5 July 2018
Many service members recruited through the program have proven to be exemplary.

— author: martha mendoza, garance burke, Anchorage Daily News, "The US Army is quietly discharging immigrant recruits," 5 July 2018
The Lions, as mentioned, have depth on the interior line, but Glasgow has proven to be one of their most indispensable players.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions 2018 most important: No. 13 Graham Glasgow, center stage," 5 July 2018
But Russia 2018 has already proved to be a tournament full of strange turns.

— tariq panja, New York Times, "World Cup 2018: Belgium Shocks Japan With Stunning Rally," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prove.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prove

Middle English, from Anglo-French prover, pruver, from Latin probare to test, prove, from probus good, honest, from pro- for, in favor + -bus (akin to Old English bēon to be) — more at pro-, be

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

prove Synonyms

PROVE Defined for English Language Learners

prove

verb

Definition of prove for English Language Learners

: to show the existence, truth, or correctness of (something) by using evidence, logic, etc.
: to show that (someone or something) has a particular quality, ability, etc.
: to turn out to be