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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Definition
Evidence or argument establishing fact or truth
Action of establishing the truth of a statement
Usage
Legal proceedings, scientific research, mathematics
Mathematics, scientific research, logical discourse
Context
Substantiation and affirmation of propositions
Pursuit and methodology to reach substantiation
Nature
Static, the manifestation of evidence or coherence
Dynamic, involves action, experimentation, reasoning
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.
Prove
To establish the truth or validity of (something) by the presentation of argument or evidence.
The scientist worked meticulously to prove his hypothesis.
Proof
A test showing that a solution to a mathematical problem is correct.
The mathematician devised a complex proof to confirm the theorem.
Prove
To demonstrate the reality of (something).
The magician attempted to prove the existence of magic.
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.
Prove
To subject (dough) to conditions that cause it to rise.
The baker had to prove the dough before baking it.
Proof
The evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true.
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.
Proof
The validation of a proposition by application of specified rules, as of induction or deduction, to assumptions, axioms, and sequentially derived conclusions.
Prove
To demonstrate the reality of (something)
He proved his strength by doing 50 pushups.
Proof
A statement or argument used in such a validation.
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.
Proof
Convincing or persuasive demonstration
Was asked for proof of his identity.
An employment history that was proof of her dependability.
Prove
To establish by the required amount of evidence
Proved his case in court.
Proof
The state of being convinced or persuaded by consideration of evidence.
Prove
To establish the authenticity of (a will).
Proof
Determination of the quality of something by testing; trial
Put one's beliefs to the proof.
Prove
To demonstrate the validity of (a hypothesis or proposition).
Proof
The establishment of the truth or falsity of an allegation by evidence.
Prove
To verify (the result of a calculation).
Proof
The evidence offered in support of or in contravention of an allegation.
Prove
To subject (a gun, for instance) to a test.
Proof
The alcoholic strength of a liquor, expressed by a number that is twice the percentage by volume of alcohol present.
Prove
(Printing) To make a sample impression of (type); proof.
Proof
A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected. Also called proof sheet.
Prove
(Archaic) To find out or learn (something) through experience.
Proof
A trial impression of a plate, stone, or block taken at any of various stages in engraving.
Prove
To be shown to be such; turn out
A theory that proved impractical in practice.
A schedule that proved to be too demanding.
Proof
A trial photographic print.
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.
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.
Prove
(intransitive) To turn out; to manifest.
It proved to be a cold day.
Proof
(Archaic) Proven impenetrability
"I was clothed in Armor of proof" (John Bunyan).
Prove
(copulative) To turn out to be.
Have an exit strategy should your calculations prove incorrect.
Proof
Fully or successfully resistant; impervious. Often used in combination
Waterproof watches.
A fireproof cellar door.
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.
Proof
Of standard alcoholic strength
Proof liquor.
Prove
(transitive) To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify.
To prove a will
Proof
Used to proofread or correct typeset copy
A proof copy of the manuscript.
Prove
To experience.
Proof
To make a trial impression of (printed or engraved matter).
Prove
To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of.
To prove a page
Proof
To proofread (copy).
Prove
(homeopathy) To determine by experiment which effects a substance causes when ingested.
Proof
To activate (dormant dry yeast) by adding water.
Prove
(baking) The process of dough proofing.
Proof
To work (dough) into proper lightness.
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.
Proof
To treat so as to make resistant
Proof a fabric against shrinkage.
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.
Proof
(Printing) To proofread.
Prove
To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.
Proof
To become properly light for cooking
The batter proofed overnight.
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.
Proof
(countable) An effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.
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.
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.
Prove
To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.
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.
Prove
To make trial; to essay.
Proof
(obsolete) Experience of something.
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.
Proof
Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
Prove
To succeed; to turn out as expected.
Proof
A proof sheet; a trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination.
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
Proof
(numismatics) A limited-run high-quality strike of a particular coin, originally as a test run, although nowadays mostly for collectors' sets.
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
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.
Prove
Provide evidence for;
The blood test showed that he was the father
Her behavior testified to her incompetence
Proof
A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Compare prove, transitive verb, 5.
Prove
Prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof
Proof
(obsolete) Armour of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armour of proof.
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
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.
Prove
Increase in volume;
The dough rose slowly in the warm room
Proof
Used in proving or testing.
A proof load; a proof charge
Prove
Cause to puff up with a leaven;
Unleavened bread
Proof
Firm or successful in resisting.
Proof against harm
Waterproof; bombproof
Prove
Take a trial impression of
Proof
(of alcoholic liquors) Being of a certain standard as to alcohol content.
60% proof liquor
Prove
Obtain probate of;
Prove a will
Proof
To proofread.
Prove
To show oneself to be.
He hoped to prove helpful to the team.
Proof
(transitive) To make resistant, especially to water.
Prove
To turn out especially after trial or test.
The new medicine proved to be effective against the virus.
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.
Proof
To allow yeast-containing dough to rise.
Proof
To test the activeness of yeast.
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.
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.
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.
Proof
Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
Proof
A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; - called also proof sheet.
Proof
Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof.
Proof
Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof charge.
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.
Proof
Being of a certain standard as to strength; - said of alcoholic liquors.
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
Proof
A formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it
Proof
A measure of alcoholic strength expressed as an integer twice the percentage of alcohol present (by volume)
Proof
(printing) an impression made to check for errors
Proof
A trial photographic print from a negative
Proof
The act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
Proof
Make or take a proof of, such as a photographic negative, an etching, or typeset
Proof
Knead to reach proper lightness;
Proof dough
Proof
Read for errors;
I should proofread my manuscripts
Proof
Activate by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk;
Proof yeast
Proof
Make resistant to water, sound, errors, etc.;
Proof the materials against shrinking in the dryer
Proof
(used in combination or as a suffix) able to withstand;
Temptation-proof
Childproof locks
Proof
Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
The lawyer presented the proof to support his client’s innocence.
Proof
A trial print of a photograph.
The photographer selected the best proof for the final print.
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.
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.
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.
Does proving involve methodical and logical processes?
Absolutely, proving involves methodical and logical processes to affirm or refute propositions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is proving dynamic and involves experimentation and reasoning?
Yes, proving is dynamic and involves action, experimentation, and reasoning to substantiate or refute propositions.
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.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
