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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.
Examples of prowess in a Sentence
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
So does the postseason prowess of José Altuve, Jeremy Peña, Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
In March, Newsom sat down with Kirk for a lengthy interview in which, despite their obvious political differences, the governor expressed admiration for the commentator's political prowess and success.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The acclaimed chef, who snagged the top prize on season 12 of Top Chef and won Tournament of Champions in 2023, will also show her prowess with live-fire cooking.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prowess
Cite this Entry
“Prowess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prowess. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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prowess
noun
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