Etymology Map
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Proof

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means evidence establishing a fact

Where does the word "proof" come from? It comes from Late Latin proba, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
proba
Late Latin · ancient
"a test"
from 'probare', to test, the root of 'probe' and 'prove'
2
Stage 2 of 3
prueve
Old French · medieval
"evidence, test"
Old French 'prueve' became 'preove' in Middle English
3
Stage 3 of 3
proof
English · 1200s
"evidence"
'the proof of the pudding is in the eating' means testing reveals quality
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Read the full story

Proof’s story begins in Late Latin: proba meant “a test.” From 'probare', to test, the root of 'probe' and 'prove'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as prueve. Old French 'prueve' became 'preove' in Middle English. It reached English by 1200s as proof. 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating' means testing reveals quality. Today, proof means evidence establishing a fact.