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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.
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Examples of prowess in a Sentence
Umar Shakir, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024
Known for its razor thinness, the model’s latest feat is a flying tourbillon set within a case measuring just 2 mm—proof that the company can deliver both technical and design prowess.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prowess 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prowess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Prowess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prowess. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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prowess
noun
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