not proven

British

/ ˈprəʊvən /

adjective

(postpositive) a third verdict available to Scottish courts, returned when there is evidence against the defendant but insufficient to convict

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in practice, the model has not proven successful, said Jillson, the SMU political science professor.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

A charge against the footballer was found not proven.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

He has not proven that he can do that, so it’s time for a second opinion.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 28, 2026

Naroditsky denied the allegations, which were not proven.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

His trial of two months' duration took place at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and resulted in a verdict of "not proven."

From As I Remember Recollections of American Society during the Nineteenth Century by Gouverneur, Marian

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023