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 notesIn plain EnglishBeing excellent or brave at something, especially in a way people admire.
Common pairings
sexual prowess
athletic prowess
military prowess
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like prowess.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- prowesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
