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noun Uncommon

prowess

PROW-ihs

Prowess (noun) means Exceptional skill or ability in a particular activity. Example: “Her prowess on the tennis court earned her a place on the national team.”

noun
1
Exceptional skill or ability in a particular activity.
"Her prowess on the tennis court earned her a place on the national team."
"The chef's culinary prowess was obvious from the very first course."
2
Great courage or bravery, especially in battle.
"The knight was celebrated for his prowess on the battlefield."

How to use prowess

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing excellent or brave at something, especially in a way people admire.

Common pairings
sexual prowess athletic prowess military prowess

Word forms

prowesses plural

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Her _____ on the tennis court earned her a place on the national team.

Etymology

From Old French proesce, "excellence, bravery," from preu, "brave, excellent" — related to English proud.

Origin: Old French

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “prowess” mean?

The word “prowess” means exceptional skill or ability in a particular activity. In plain terms, being excellent or brave at something, especially in a way people admire.

How do you pronounce “prowess”?

“Prowess” is pronounced PROW-ihs (/ˈpraʊ(w)əs/ in IPA).

How do you use “prowess” in a sentence?

Here is “prowess” used in a sentence: “Her prowess on the tennis court earned her a place on the national team.”

What part of speech is “prowess”?

“Prowess” is a noun.

Where does the word “prowess” come from?

The word “prowess” comes from Old French. From Old French proesce, "excellence, bravery," from preu, "brave, excellent" — related to English proud.

Is “prowess” a common word?

“Prowess” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “prowess” have?

“Prowess” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: exceptional skill or ability in a particular activity.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial