/
pruːv/
v.
(past part. proved or proven
/ˈpruːv(ə)n, ˈprəʊ-/
)
- demonstrate by evidence or argument the truth or existence of.
▸Law establish the genuineness and validity of (a will).
- show by evidence or argument to be.
▸be seen or found to be:
the scheme has proved a great success.
▸
(prove oneself)
demonstrate one's abilities or courage.
- subject (a gun) to a testing process.
- (of bread dough) become aerated by the action of yeast; rise.
Phrase
- not proven
Scots Law a verdict that there is insufficient evidence to establish guilt or innocence.
Derivative
- provability n.
- provable adj.
- provably adv.
- prover n.
Usage
Prove has two past participles: proved and proven. Both are correct and can be used more or less interchangeably (this hasn't been proved yet; this hasn't been proven yet). In British English proved is more common, with the exception that proven is always used when the word comes before a noun: a proven talent, not a proved talent.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. prover, from L. probare ‘test, approve, demonstrate’.