prowess

CEFRC1

/ˈpɹaʊɪs/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Great skill or ability in a particular activity.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    An act of prowess., An act of adroitness or dexterity.

Examples

  • His martial arts prowess has already reached a level of sublime perfection.

  • I wouldn't dare to question your prowess in video games.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
4

Also pronounced

  • /ˈpraʊ(w)əs/
  • /ˈpɹæɔəs/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

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

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

  3. An act of prowess.

More examples

In context

  • His prowess with women is legendary.

  • 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.

  • A beautiful great lady, past her prime, / Behold her dreaming in her easy chair; / Grey robed, and veiled, in laces old and rare, / Her smiling eyes see but the vanished time / Of splendid prowess, and of deeds sublime.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The athlete's amazing blank in swimming earned her three gold medals at the championship.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

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.