prove

verb \ ˈprüv \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

But if these games proved the Phillies can hang with the big boys, the outcomes indicated they still must learn to win.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "Phillies doomed by overturned call at the plate, lose to Cubs in finale of tough road trip," 7 June 2018
Sent to investigate, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, no admirer of Sherman’s, exonerated him after free black men in Savannah proved understandably reluctant to criticize their volatile new occupier.

— harold holzer, WSJ, "Burning Down the South," 7 June 2018
All proving there is a world of wonder out there, waiting for you on your summer road trip.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "See two of the 'World's Largest' items without leaving Louisville," 7 June 2018
Milwaukee Brewers fans obviously would be happy if this comparison proves to be spot-on.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "FiveThirtyEight writer says Brewers are using 2015 Royals' formula for winning," 6 June 2018
But there is a danger that this agreement is strategic rather than sincere, and that in fact the justices’ concern with religious discrimination principle will prove instrumental and hollow.

— aziz huq, Fortune, "What the Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop Ruling Could Mean for Trump’s Travel Ban," 5 June 2018
But Circuit Judge Michael Close convicted him, stating simply that the evidence proved Rivera’s guilt, according to a 2002 appeals court ruling.

— jason meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Controversial ex-Chicago cop expected to take the Fifth at trial over wrongful conviction," 5 June 2018
In his ruling, Shanes said the defense had not proven claims of ineffective previous counsel or that DNA evidence examined since the trial would have changed the outcome of the trial.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Appeal promised after judge denies retrial for man convicted of murder in North Chicago burning death," 5 June 2018
The idea that Jordan never got tired is just silly, and a quick Google search proves this.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Yes, Michael Jordan also got tired sometimes," 4 June 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

PROVE Defined for Kids

prove

verb \ ˈprüv \

Definition of prove for Students

proved; proved or proven \ˈprü-vən\; proving

1 : to show the truth or existence of something with facts

I can prove he's guilty.

2 : to turn out to be

The climb proved more difficult than they had expected.

3 : to check the correctness of

prove the math theory

4 : to test by experiment or by a standard Tests proved that the vaccine is effective.

Law Dictionary

prove

transitive verb \ ˈprüv \

legal Definition of prove

proved; proved or proven play \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

play \ˈprü-və-bəl\ adjective

—

provableness

noun

—

provably

play \ˈprü-və-blē\ adverb

Learn More about prove

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proved or proven?

Examples of prove in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of prove

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PROVE Defined for English Language Learners

prove

Definition of prove for English Language Learners

PROVE Defined for Kids

prove

Definition of prove for Students

Law Dictionary

prove

legal Definition of prove

provable

provableness

provably

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