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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
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Jones went off the board next, courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens, an organization long revered for its drafting prowess.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The latest evidence of their prowess is showcased in the atelier’s reenvisioning of the 964-generation of the 911 (built from 1989 through 1994) through the prism of their Classic Turbo services.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2025
The 10-day gathering shines a spotlight on the technological prowess of China’s booming and cutthroat electric vehicle (EV) sector, which has shocked Western rivals not just with the speed of its innovation and growth, but also the quality of its value offerings.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 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 9 May. 2025.
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prowess
noun
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