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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
Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
The most capable 2026 Ford Maverick trim in terms of off-roading prowess is the Maverick Tremor.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 28 May 2026
To gauge how hotly contested this race is, look no further than the millions of dollars pouring into it, both through the candidates’ own fundraising prowess and spending by outside groups.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Her technical prowess shows up today in meetings with startup founders, says Conviction general partner Mike Vernal, who joined the firm in 2025 from Sequoia.
—Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 27 May 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 29 May. 2026.
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prowess
noun
