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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
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
The social media content showcased his wry sense of humor alongside his wrestling prowess that ingratiated him to his friends.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Sure, Gwyneth Paltrow's brand of blonde tends toward the peroxide camp, but her prowess within the world of easy luxe (and the color's warmth) earns her hair hue a spot on this list.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
There are still moments of showy technical prowess (including crowd scenes where thousands of butterflies fly across the screen at one time), but the film’s rounded and adorable character designs for its animals prove refreshingly simple.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prowess
Cite this Entry
“Prowess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prowess. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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prowess
noun
