prove

verb

ˈprüv 

proved; proved or proven ˈprü-vən 

British also ˈprō-

; proving ˈprü-viŋ 

transitive verb

1

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

proved herself a great actress

the vaccine has been proven effective after years of tests

2

: to show (oneself) to be worthy or capable

eager to prove myself in the new job

3

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)

4

archaic : to learn or find out by experience

intransitive verb

: to turn out especially after trial or test

the new drug proved effective

prover

ˈprü-vər 

noun

proved or proven?: Usage Guide

The past tense of prove is proved, but the past participle can be either proved or proven.

what has been proved/proven true

Whether proven is correct or not has been a topic of debate since the 19th century, when it was significantly less common than proved. (The 19th-century English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson was a frequent user, probably for metrical reasons.) Worth noting, however, is that proven was not new; before falling out of use centuries ago, it was the only past participle available. Its resurgence has likely been aided by legal use. Today, the past participle proven is about as frequent as proved in all contexts, a status which has surely been influenced by the common phrase "innocent until proven guilty." As an attributive adjective, proven is much more common than proved.

a proven track record

Synonyms of prove

• establish
• demonstrate

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 on the Web

So far, Powell has proven to be a fantastic offseason addition for the Heat. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025

NewJeans also attempted to rebrand to NJZ in an effort to work around their exclusivity deal with Ador; however, a Seoul court ruled that the group had failed to prove significant negligence on the part of the label. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2025

New faces prove the city’s culinary growth refuses to slow down, while longstanding restaurants show that consistency and evolution can easily coexist. —Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025

With a strong adaptation of the first part of the musical already proven itself, part two is said to be darker and more emotional — the type of movie the Oscars like to reward. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Phrases Containing prove

• go to show/prove
• have (got) nothing left to prove
• prove a point
• prove oneself
• prove one's manhood
• prove one's mettle
• prove out
• prove (to be) useful
• what are you trying to prove

Rhymes for prove

• groove
• move
• approve
• disprove
• improve
• remove
• reprove
• disapprove

Kids Definition

prove

verb

ˈprüv 

proved; proved or proven ˈprü-vən  ; proving

1

: to test by an experiment or a standard

prove gold

2

a

: to show the truth of by evidence

prove the charges

proved she could handle the job

b

: to check the correctness of (as an arithmetic solution)

3

: to show the genuineness of

prove a will

4

: to turn out especially after trial or test

the new automobile engine proved to be impractical

provable

ˈprü-və-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

prove

transitive verb

ˈprüv 

proved; proved or proven ˈprü-vən  ; proving

1

: to test the truth, validity, or genuineness of

prove a will at probate

2

a

: to establish the existence, truth, or validity of

the charges were never proved in court

b

: to provide sufficient proof of or that

proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

provable

ˈprü-və-bəl 

adjective

provableness noun

provably

ˈprü-və-blē 

adverb