Proof vs. Prove — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023

Proof" is evidence or argument establishing a fact or truth, while "Prove" is the action of establishing the truth of a statement or hypothesis.

Difference Between Proof and Prove

Table of Contents

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Key Differences

"Proof" and "Prove" represent different elements within logical and argumentative discourse, one serving as a noun and the other as a verb. "Proof" is the noun form, denoting the evidence or argument that establishes or helps to establish the validity of a proposition. In legal and scientific contexts, "proof" serves as the cornerstone upon which cases and theories are built, providing the requisite substantiation to affirm truth or validity.

Sep 26, 2023

Contrarily, "Prove," the verb form, implies the action or process of establishing the truth or validity of a statement or hypothesis. It’s the act of demonstrating through evidence or logical reasoning that a proposition is true. For example, in mathematics, to prove means to verify the truth of a theorem or statement using logical deduction or empirical evidence.

Sep 26, 2023

The employment of "Proof" is broad, extending from legal proceedings, where it may refer to the body of evidence presented to support a case, to the realm of mathematics, where it signifies a logical deduction affirming the truth of a statement. It's about the substantiation and affirmation of propositions through tangible evidence or logical coherence.

Sep 26, 2023

"Prove," in contrast, is about the pursuit of truth or validation through methodical and logical processes. It's dynamic, involving action, experimentation, and reasoning to affirm or refute propositions. Whether in scientific experiments aiming to prove a hypothesis or in logical discourse striving to prove a point, it’s about the journey and methodology to reach conclusive substantiation.

Sep 26, 2023

In essence, while "Proof" is the solidification and manifestation of evidence or logical coherence supporting a proposition, "Prove" is the journey and methodical process to attain that solidification, each integral in the pursuit and affirmation of truth and validity in their respective domains.

Sep 26, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Noun

Verb

Sep 26, 2023

Definition

Evidence or argument establishing fact or truth

Action of establishing the truth of a statement

Sep 26, 2023

Usage

Legal proceedings, scientific research, mathematics

Mathematics, scientific research, logical discourse

Sep 26, 2023

Context

Substantiation and affirmation of propositions

Pursuit and methodology to reach substantiation

Sep 26, 2023

Nature

Static, the manifestation of evidence or coherence

Dynamic, involves action, experimentation, reasoning

Sep 26, 2023

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Compare with Definitions

Proof

The final, clear, and usually pre-publication version of a text.

The editor received the final proof of the manuscript for review.

Sep 26, 2023

Prove

To establish the truth or validity of (something) by the presentation of argument or evidence.

The scientist worked meticulously to prove his hypothesis.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

A test showing that a solution to a mathematical problem is correct.

The mathematician devised a complex proof to confirm the theorem.

Sep 26, 2023

Prove

To demonstrate the reality of (something).

The magician attempted to prove the existence of magic.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

The strength of distilled alcoholic spirits, usually expressed by a degree on a scale.

The whiskey had a high proof, indicating strong alcohol content.

Sep 26, 2023

Prove

To subject (dough) to conditions that cause it to rise.

The baker had to prove the dough before baking it.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

The evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To establish the truth or validity of (something) by the presentation of argument or evidence

The novel proves that the essayist can write in more than one genre. The storm proved him to be wrong in his prediction.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The validation of a proposition by application of specified rules, as of induction or deduction, to assumptions, axioms, and sequentially derived conclusions.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To demonstrate the reality of (something)

He proved his strength by doing 50 pushups.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A statement or argument used in such a validation.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To show (oneself) to be what is specified or to have a certain characteristic

Proved herself to be a formidable debater.

Proved herself to be worthy of the task.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Convincing or persuasive demonstration

Was asked for proof of his identity.

An employment history that was proof of her dependability.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To establish by the required amount of evidence

Proved his case in court.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The state of being convinced or persuaded by consideration of evidence.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To establish the authenticity of (a will).

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Determination of the quality of something by testing; trial

Put one's beliefs to the proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To demonstrate the validity of (a hypothesis or proposition).

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The establishment of the truth or falsity of an allegation by evidence.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To verify (the result of a calculation).

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The evidence offered in support of or in contravention of an allegation.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To subject (a gun, for instance) to a test.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The alcoholic strength of a liquor, expressed by a number that is twice the percentage by volume of alcohol present.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(Printing) To make a sample impression of (type); proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected. Also called proof sheet.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(Archaic) To find out or learn (something) through experience.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A trial impression of a plate, stone, or block taken at any of various stages in engraving.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To be shown to be such; turn out

A theory that proved impractical in practice.

A schedule that proved to be too demanding.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A trial photographic print.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(transitive) To demonstrate that something is true or viable; to give proof for.

I will prove that my method is more effective than yours.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Any of a limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(intransitive) To turn out; to manifest.

It proved to be a cold day.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(Archaic) Proven impenetrability

"I was clothed in Armor of proof" (John Bunyan).

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(copulative) To turn out to be.

Have an exit strategy should your calculations prove incorrect.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Fully or successfully resistant; impervious. Often used in combination

Waterproof watches.

A fireproof cellar door.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(transitive) To put to the test, to make trial of.

They took the experimental car to the proving-grounds.

The exception proves the rule.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Of standard alcoholic strength

Proof liquor.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(transitive) To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify.

To prove a will

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Used to proofread or correct typeset copy

A proof copy of the manuscript.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To experience.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To make a trial impression of (printed or engraved matter).

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of.

To prove a page

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To proofread (copy).

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(homeopathy) To determine by experiment which effects a substance causes when ingested.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To activate (dormant dry yeast) by adding water.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

(baking) The process of dough proofing.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To work (dough) into proper lightness.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test or standard; to test; as, to prove the strength of gunpowder or of ordnance; to prove the contents of a vessel by a standard measure.

Thou hast proved mine heart.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To treat so as to make resistant

Proof a fabric against shrinkage.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence.

They have inferred much from slender premises, and conjectured when they could not prove.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(Printing) To proofread.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To become properly light for cooking

The batter proofed overnight.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by trial; to experience; to suffer.

Where she, captived long, great woes did prove.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(countable) An effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To test, evince, ascertain, or verify, as the correctness of any operation or result; thus, in subtraction, if the difference between two numbers, added to the lesser number, makes a sum equal to the greater, the correctness of the subtraction is proved.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(uncountable) The degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments which induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness which resists impression, or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To make trial; to essay.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(obsolete) Experience of something.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To be found by experience, trial, or result; to turn out to be; as, a medicine proves salutary; the report proves false.

So life a winter's morn may prove.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To succeed; to turn out as expected.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A proof sheet; a trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Be shown or be found to be;

She proved to be right

The medicine turned out to save her life

She turned up HIV positive

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(numismatics) A limited-run high-quality strike of a particular coin, originally as a test run, although nowadays mostly for collectors' sets.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment;

The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound

The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A sequence of statements consisting of axioms, assumptions, statements already demonstrated in another proof, and statements that logically follow from previous statements in the sequence, and which concludes with a statement that is the object of the proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Provide evidence for;

The blood test showed that he was the father

Her behavior testified to her incompetence

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Compare prove, transitive verb, 5.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(obsolete) Armour of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armour of proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to;

This approach has been tried with good results

Test this recipe

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(US) A measure of the alcohol content of liquor. Originally, in Britain, 100 proof was defined as 57.1% by volume (no longer used). In the US, 100 proof means that the alcohol content is 50% of the total volume of the liquid; thus, absolute alcohol would be 200 proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Increase in volume;

The dough rose slowly in the warm room

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Used in proving or testing.

A proof load; a proof charge

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Cause to puff up with a leaven;

Unleavened bread

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Firm or successful in resisting.

Proof against harm

Waterproof; bombproof

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Take a trial impression of

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(of alcoholic liquors) Being of a certain standard as to alcohol content.

60% proof liquor

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

Obtain probate of;

Prove a will

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To proofread.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To show oneself to be.

He hoped to prove helpful to the team.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

(transitive) To make resistant, especially to water.

Jul 09, 2018

Prove

To turn out especially after trial or test.

The new medicine proved to be effective against the virus.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

To test-fire with a load considerably more powerful than the firearm in question's rated maximum chamber pressure, in order to establish the firearm's ability to withstand pressures well in excess of those expected in service without bursting.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To allow yeast-containing dough to rise.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

To test the activeness of yeast.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.

For whatsoever mother wit or artCould work, he put in proof.

You shall have many proofs to show your skill.

Formerly, a very rude mode of ascertaining the strength of spirits was practiced, called the proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments that induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.

I'll have some proof.

It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression, or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; - called also proof sheet.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof charge.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.

I . . . have found theeProof against all temptation.

This was a good, stout proof article of faith.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Being of a certain standard as to strength; - said of alcoholic liquors.

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something;

If you have any proof for what you say, now is the time to produce it

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A measure of alcoholic strength expressed as an integer twice the percentage of alcohol present (by volume)

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(printing) an impression made to check for errors

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

A trial photographic print from a negative

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

The act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Make or take a proof of, such as a photographic negative, an etching, or typeset

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Knead to reach proper lightness;

Proof dough

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Read for errors;

I should proofread my manuscripts

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Activate by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk;

Proof yeast

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Make resistant to water, sound, errors, etc.;

Proof the materials against shrinking in the dryer

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

(used in combination or as a suffix) able to withstand;

Temptation-proof

Childproof locks

Jul 09, 2018

Proof

Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.

The lawyer presented the proof to support his client’s innocence.

Sep 26, 2023

Proof

A trial print of a photograph.

The photographer selected the best proof for the final print.

Sep 26, 2023

Common Curiosities

Is proof a noun representing evidence or argument establishing fact or truth?

Yes, proof is a noun denoting evidence or argument that establishes a fact or the truth of a statement.

Sep 26, 2023

Is to prove a verb representing the action of establishing the truth of a statement or hypothesis?

Yes, to prove is a verb denoting the action or process of establishing the truth or validity of a statement or hypothesis.

Sep 26, 2023

Is proof used in legal and scientific contexts to affirm truth or validity?

Yes, proof is used in legal and scientific contexts to provide the requisite substantiation to affirm truth or validity.

Sep 26, 2023

Does proving involve methodical and logical processes?

Absolutely, proving involves methodical and logical processes to affirm or refute propositions.

Sep 26, 2023

Can proof also refer to a test showing that a solution to a mathematical problem is correct?

Yes, in mathematics, proof can refer to a logical deduction or test showing that a solution to a problem is correct.

Sep 26, 2023

Is proving involved with the use of logical deduction or empirical evidence?

Yes, proving involves the use of logical deduction or empirical evidence to verify the truth of a theorem or statement.

Sep 26, 2023

Can proof refer to the body of evidence presented in legal proceedings?

Yes, in legal proceedings, proof can refer to the body of evidence presented to support a case.

Sep 26, 2023

Is the aim of proving to reach conclusive substantiation of a proposition?

Yes, the aim of proving is to reach conclusive substantiation through action, experimentation, and reasoning.

Sep 26, 2023

Is proving dynamic and involves experimentation and reasoning?

Yes, proving is dynamic and involves action, experimentation, and reasoning to substantiate or refute propositions.

Sep 26, 2023

Is proof static and about the manifestation of evidence or logical coherence?

Yes, proof is more static, representing the solidification and manifestation of evidence or logical coherence.

Sep 26, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.