prowess

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈpɹaʊəs/ UK /ˈpɹaʊɪs/ See IPA manual

Freq #21336

Meanings

1

noun
Skillfulness or extraordinary ability in a particular area of expertise; dexterity, mastery, or proficiency.

When in liquor he would make foolish wagers. On one of these too frequent occasions he was boasting of his prowess as a pedestrian and athlete, and the outcome was a match against nature. For a stake of one sovereign he undertook to run all the way to Coventry and back, a distance of something more than forty miles.
2

noun
Distinguished bravery or courage, especially in battle; heroism.

That libertie Poets of late in their invectives have exceeded: they have borne their ſword up where it is not lawfull for a poynado, that is but the page of proweſſe, to intermeddle.
3

noun
An act of prowess.

I recollect hearing […] of his [Sir William Hamilton's] simple, independent, meditative habits, ruggedly athletic modes of exercise, fondness for his big dog, etc. etc.: […] I did not witness, much less share in, any of the swimming or other athletic prowesses.
4

noun
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · skillfulness or... competence expertise mastery

2 noun · distinguished bravery or... valor

4 noun · a superior skill that you... art

Word family

Derived forms prowessedsuperprowess

Related forms prow

Etymology

From Middle English prowesse, prouwesse, proues, prouesce, prouesse (“bravery in battle; act of bravery; excellence; nobility of character; intelligence”), from Old French proeche, proesce, proeësche (“goodness; excellence; bravery”), from Old French preu, prou, prouz, proz, pruz (“good; excellent; brave”). Compare English proud.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# prowess

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɹaʊəs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpɹaʊɪs/
**Frequency rank:** 21336

## Meanings
1. Skillfulness or extraordinary ability in a particular area of expertise; dexterity, mastery, or proficiency.
2. Distinguished bravery or courage, especially in battle; heroism.
3. An act of prowess.
4. a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation

## Examples
- When in liquor he would make foolish wagers. On one of these too frequent occasions he was boasting of his prowess as a pedestrian and athlete, and the outcome was a match against nature. For a stake of one sovereign he undertook to run all the way to Coventry and back, a distance of something more than forty miles.
- That libertie Poets of late in their invectives have exceeded: they have borne their ſword up where it is not lawfull for a poynado, that is but the page of proweſſe, to intermeddle.
- I recollect hearing […] of his [Sir William Hamilton's] simple, independent, meditative habits, ruggedly athletic modes of exercise, fondness for his big dog, etc. etc.: […] I did not witness, much less share in, any of the swimming or other athletic prowesses.

## Derived Forms
- prowessed
- superprowess

## Related Forms
- prow

## Etymology
From Middle English prowesse, prouwesse, proues, prouesce, prouesse (“bravery in battle; act of bravery; excellence; nobility of character; intelligence”), from Old French proeche, proesce, proeësche (“goodness; excellence; bravery”), from Old French preu, prou, prouz, proz, pruz (“good; excellent; brave”). Compare English proud.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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