First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
prowess
noun prow·ess \ˈprau̇-əs also ˈprō-\
: great ability or skill
Full Definition of PROWESS
1
: distinguished bravery; especially : military valor and skill
2
: extraordinary ability <his prowess on the football field>
See prowess defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PROWESS
Middle English prouesse, from Anglo-French pruesse, prowesse, from prou
Related to PROWESS
- Synonyms
- bottle [British slang], bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, pecker [chiefly British], courage, stoutness, valor, virtue
- Antonyms
- cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness
PROWESS Defined for Kids
prowess
noun prow·ess \ˈprau̇-əs\
Definition of PROWESS for Kids
1
: great bravery especially in battle
2
: very great ability <athletic prowess>
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