unproved

Unproved is an adjective used to describe a claim or proposition that has not yet been demonstrated to be true or valid by evidence, argument, or proof. The status of being unproved is not a verdict on truth; it reflects a lack of proof at a given time.

In mathematics and formal logic, what is not proven is often called unproved; more commonly, such statements are referred to as conjectures, hypotheses, or open problems. A proof may eventually confirm or refute the claim, turning an unproved statement into a proven theorem or into a falsehood. Famous unproved problems include Goldbach's conjecture and the Riemann Hypothesis.

In science, unproven describes hypotheses or theories without sufficient empirical support. A claim may be plausible but unverified, and scientific conclusions depend on accumulating reproducible evidence. The term signals provisional status and the ongoing need for testing and validation; it does not by itself imply falsehood.

In legal contexts, unproven can describe allegations, claims, or evidentiary items that have not yet been established in court. The burden of proof lies with the party presenting the claim, and unresolved matters may be labeled as unproven until adjudicated.

Etymology and usage: from Latin probare to test; in everyday language, unproved is used for statements lacking proof, whereas proven denotes established validity. The term should be used carefully to avoid implying truth where evidence is lacking.