prowess
/ˈpraʊɪs
/noun [mass noun]
1Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field: his prowess as a fisherman her culinary prowess...
- And his fame has nothing whatsoever to do with his prowess on the football field or in the political arena.
- Padraic will also be remembered for his prowess on the football field.
- Fathers looked proudly upon children who showed prowess in these extracurricular activities.
Synonyms
skill, skilfulness, expertise, effectiveness, mastery, facility, ability, capability, capacity, talent, genius, adroitness, adeptness, aptitude, dexterity, deftness, competence, competency, professionalism, excellence, accomplishment, experience, proficiency, expertness, finesse, know-how;
French savoir faire
2Bravery in battle: the hereditary nobility had no monopoly of skill and prowess in war...
- Though Ilantar had little love for the Isaad and their sinister lord, he respected their prowess in battle.
- Pompeii split up much of the land giving large chunks to his soldiers as a reward for their prowess in battle.
- Zaren on the other hand was not a demigod, and Tsuko had not foreseen his great battle prowess.
Synonyms
courage, bravery, gallantry, valour, heroism, intrepidness, intrepidity, nerve, pluck, pluckiness, doughtiness, hardihood, braveness, courageousness, dauntlessness, gameness, manfulness, boldness, daring, audacity, spirit, fearlessness;
mettle, determination, fortitude, steadfastness, stoutness, resolve, resolution, backbone, spine, stout-heartedness
informal bottle, grit, guts, spunk, gutsiness, gumption, ballsiness
North American informal moxie, cojones, sand
vulgar slang balls
archaic valiance
Origin
Middle English (in sense 2): from Old French proesce, from prou 'valiant'. Sense 1 dates from the early 20th century.