prowess
Americannoun
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exceptional valor, bravery, or ability, especially in combat or battle.
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exceptional or superior ability, skill, or strength.
his prowess as a public speaker.
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a valiant or daring deed.
noun
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outstanding or superior skill or ability
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bravery or fearlessness, esp in battle
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prowess
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French proesse, proece “goodness, bravery,” equivalent to prou prow 2 + -esse, from Latin -itia -ice
Explanation
Prowess means exceptional skill or ability. Your sailing prowess might save your life in a storm, while someone with less experience might make mistakes. An earlier meaning of this word is exceptional bravery in battle, or a specific act of bravery. Prowess is a Middle English word borrowed from the Old French proesse, "courage, brave deed," from prud, "good, capable, brave." The related English word proud originally had the now obsolete meaning of "brave."
Vocabulary lists containing prowess
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Flight of Icarus," Vocabulary from the myth
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr Mustapha has received a number of accolades for his work with Future Prowess School.
From BBC • May 16, 2017
After the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria paid a visit to the Future Prowess school in 2012, he arranged for Mr Mustapha to go to Zurich and Geneva to receive formal training as a mediator.
From BBC • May 16, 2017
A version of this military analysis appears in print on April 22, 2014, on page A1 of the with the headline: New Prowess For Russians.
From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2014
I called Prowess Consulting, the Seattle-based firm that filed the application.
From Slate • Mar. 15, 2012
Prowess, prow′es, n. bravery, esp. in war: valour: daring.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
