prove

verb

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\ ˈprüv

proved; proved or proven\ ˈprü-vən

, British also ˈprō- \; proving\ ˈprü-viŋ

Definition of prove

transitive verb

1a : 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

3a : 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

Other Words from prove Synonyms & Antonyms proved or proven?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Phrases Containing prove Learn More About prove

proved or proven?: Usage Guide

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web After two prior attempts to complete such a mission failed, Boeing's goal is to prove the spacecraft can dock with the orbiting outpost. — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 19 May 2022 The show isn’t trying to prove Michael’s guilt or innocence. — Milan Polk, Men's Health, 19 May 2022 To prove faith in GM, CFO Paul Jacobson purchased 35,000 shares of GM stock at $38.79 on April 28, according to an SEC filing. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 19 May 2022 Renée Zellweger continues to prove that great style doesn't need to mean colorful extravagance. — Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 May 2022 She is torn between her over-protective mother and her desire to prove her musical abilities, in addition to just her magical ones. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2022 Crevoiserat adds that because of the unconscious nature of racial bias and microaggressions in retail environments, many of these actions are underreported, hard to prove and often not validated. — Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes, 18 May 2022 For example, by studying the eggs of peregrine falcons and other birds, scientists were able to prove that a pesticide called DDT was causing egg thinning, leading to nesting failures. — Gina Rich, Washington Post, 17 May 2022 The scientists were able to prove that photosensitive neuron cells in the retina can respond to light up to five hours after death. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 16 May 2022 See More

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.