prove

[ proov ]

/ pruv /

verb (used with object), proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument: to prove one's claim.

Law. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will); probate.

to give demonstration of by action.

to subject to a test, experiment, comparison, analysis, or the like, to determine quality, amount, acceptability, characteristics, etc.: to prove ore.

to show (oneself) to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions.

Mathematics. to verify the correctness or validity of by mathematical demonstration or arithmetical proof.

Also proof. Printing. to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).

to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.

Archaic. to experience.

verb (used without object), proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

to turn out: The experiment proved to be successful.

to be found by trial or experience to be: His story proved false.

(of dough) to rise to a specified lightness: Leave covered until it has proved.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of prove

1125–75; Middle English proven < Old French prover < Latin probāre to try, test, prove, approve, derivative of probus good. See probity

SYNONYMS FOR prove

1 demonstrate, confirm, substantiate, verify.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR prove ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR prove

1 disprove.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR prove ON THESAURUS.COM

usage note for prove

Either proved or proven is standard as the past participle of prove : Events have proved (or proven ) him wrong. As a modifier, proven is by far the more common: a proven fact.

OTHER WORDS FROM prove

prov·a·ble, adjectiveprov·a·bil·i·ty, prov·a·ble·ness, nounprov·a·bly, adverbprov·en·ly, adverb

prov·er, nounhalf-proved, adjectivehalf-prov·en, adjectivenon·prov·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·prove, verb (used with object), o·ver·proved, o·ver·proved or o·ver·prov·en, o·ver·prov·ing.pre·prove, verb (used with object), pre·proved, pre·proved or pre·prov·en, pre·prov·ing.self-prov·ing, adjectivesem·i·prov·en, adjectiveun·prov·a·ble, adjectiveun·proved, adjectiveun·prov·en, adjectiveun·prov·ing, adjectivewell-proved, adjectivewell-prov·en, adjective

Words nearby prove

proustite, prout, prov, prov., provascular tissue, prove, prove out, proven, provenance, provence, provence rose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for proven

The North Korean hackers have proven to be a persistent adversary, if not the most skilled one.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But these must be proven under a signed and sworn statement and judged reasonable by the DOH.
No More Paper Prescriptions: Docs Fight Fraud by Going Electronic|Dale Eisinger|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A civilian corollary was proven when ISIS waterboarded journalist James Foley before beheading him.
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built|Michael Daly|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But so far, the lack of proven Roman artifacts or ruins in the town has raised suspicions.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The real problem—a problem that thus far has proven intractable—is overcoming the doubt and fear.
Powdered Measles Vaccine Could Be Huge for Developing World|Kent Sepkowitz|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The authorities of our Nation have condemned membership in the Communist organization as illegal and have proven Debs a criminal.
The Red Conspiracy|Joseph J. Mereto
In that case, it will be proven that advocate Desmarais is a hypocrite and a traitor!
The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2|Eugne Sue
What has Dr. Roberts proven concerning the influence of alcohol upon digestion?
First Book in Physiology and Hygiene|J.H. Kellogg
When some modern scholars call the men of the Terremare by the name 'Italici', they express a hope rather than a proven fact.
Ancient Town-Planning|F. Haverfield
She glanced at him, with an adorable smile as a finale, so confident she had proven her case.
The Bondwoman|Marah Ellis Ryan

British Dictionary definitions for proven (1 of 2)

proven

/ (ˈpruːvən) /

verb

a past participle of prove

See not proven

adjective

tried; testeda proven method

Derived forms of proven

provenly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for proven (2 of 2)

prove

/ (pruːv) /

verb proves, proving, proved, proved or proven (mainly tr)

(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to establish or demonstrate the truth or validity of; verify, esp by using an established sequence of procedures or statements

to establish the quality of, esp by experiment or scientific analysis

law to establish the validity and genuineness of (a will)

to show (oneself) able or courageous

(copula) to be found or shown (to be)this has proved useless; he proved to be invaluable

printing to take a trial impression of (type, etc)

(intr) (of dough) to rise in a warm place before baking

archaic to undergo

Derived forms of prove

provable, adjectiveprovability, nounprovably, adverb

Word Origin for prove

C12: from Old French prover, from Latin probāre to test, from probus honest

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

Idioms and Phrases with proven

prove

In addition to the idiom beginning with prove

prove out

also see:

exception proves the rule

prove

verb (used with object), proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

verb (used without object), proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of prove

SYNONYMS FOR prove

ANTONYMS FOR prove

usage note for prove

OTHER WORDS FROM prove

Words nearby prove

Words related to proven

Example sentences from the Web for proven

British Dictionary definitions for proven (1 of 2)

verb

adjective

Derived forms of proven

British Dictionary definitions for proven (2 of 2)

verb proves, proving, proved, proved or proven (mainly tr)

Derived forms of prove

Word Origin for prove

Idioms and Phrases with proven