prowess

noun

prow·​ess ˈprau̇-əs 

 also  ˈprō-

1

: distinguished bravery

especially : military valor and skill

2

: extraordinary ability

his prowess on the football field

Did you know?

Prowess is a word with a lot to be proud of. Not only has it performed gallantly for the English language since the 13th century, but it has stayed relatively stalwart in hewing to its original meaning, which is quite a flex. When prowess first joined the ranks of the lexicon, it could be used to refer to bravery, skill, and valor—especially those virtues as encountered in military contexts—or to individual acts of derring-do. The latter was usually used in the plural, as when people waxed rhapsodic about the “prowesses” of knights or some such. Today’s “extraordinary ability” meaning, which developed in the 17th century, tends to stick to the singular form, as when it’s used to describe those with intellectual prowess, or to someone known for their prowess as a fundraiser.

Synonyms

• bottle [British slang]
• bravery
• courage
• courageousness
• daring
• daringness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• greatheartedness
• guts
• gutsiness
• hardihood
• heart
• heroism
• intestinal fortitude
• intrepidity
• intrepidness
• moxie
• nerve
• pecker [chiefly British]
• stoutness
• valor
• virtue

Examples of prowess in a Sentence

He is known for his prowess on the football field.

their naval and military prowess

Recent Examples on the Web

Flashback: That road prowess followed the team to Seattle this week, where Houston held the No. 4-seed Sounders scoreless, forcing a penalty shoot-out. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

The potential return of the Tasmanian tiger will be a culmination of efforts from scientists at the University of Melbourne, the technological prowess of Colossal Biosciences and the genetic contributions of a pickled 110-year old thylacine head. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The Guanajuato musician’s talents are backed by the prowess of Street Mob Records, helmed by Fuerza Regida’s JOP, who has praised him as one of the label’s most talented artists. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2024

Over time, Kelleher became known as much for his business prowess as his sense of humor. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prouesse, from Anglo-French pruesse, prowesse, from prou

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

prowess

noun

prow·​ess ˈprau̇-əs 

1

: great bravery especially in battle

2

: very great ability

athletic prowess