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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
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Some of the athletes said they were surprised by Ace’s prowess.
—Matt O’Brien, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Beckham showed her prowess in styling by pairing a soft pink dress from her own collection with bright red shoes, demonstrating how effortless colorblocking should look.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
Matching his high-octane offense with SC’s recruiting prowess and location in Southern California was supposed to get the Trojans back to the top of the college football world.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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prowess
noun
