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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
Alex Valdes, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Another pendant that relates some serious design prowess is this Louis Poulsen PH 5.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
The defensive prowess helped spark the Bills’ win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Snag one of these Cyber Monday Deals on Desktops and boost your productivity or gaming prowess for less.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 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 3 Dec. 2025.
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prowess
noun
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