potential

[puh-ten-shuhl]

adjective

1. possible, as opposed to actual.

   the potential uses of nuclear energy.

2. capable of being or becoming.

   a potential danger to safety.

3. Grammar.,  expressing possibility.

   the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.

4. Archaic.,  potent.

noun

1. possibility; potentiality.

   an investment that has little growth potential.

   Synonyms: potency, capacity

2. a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.

3. Grammar.

   1. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.

   2. a form in the potential.

4. Electricity.,  electric potential.

5. Mathematics, Physics.,  a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.

6. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility.

   The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.

potential

/ pəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. 1. possible but not yet actual

   2. (prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent

2. grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might

3. an archaic word for potent 1

noun

1. latent but unrealized ability or capacity

   Jones has great potential as a sales manager

2. grammar a potential verb or verb form

3. short for electric potential

Other Word Forms

• potentially adverb
• nonpotential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of potential¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English potencial (from Old French ), from Late Latin potentiālis. See potency, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of potential¹

C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power

Synonym Study

See latent.

Example Sentences

He said nothing of the potential psychology of the night, but it was obvious.

From BBC

Jonsson has endeared Andy to the audience enough for future writers to expand his potential to shift course from an old story told too many times.

From Salon

Analysts think there are potential savings from such a move - which would be functionally equivalent to a new tax on banks - though they argue that £35bn a year figure is a considerable overstatement.

From BBC

From the perspective of regular playing time, it did not pan out how he would have hoped, and Sterling was keen for more thinking time before any potential move this summer.

From BBC

However, multiple studies of potential universal flu vaccines based on mRNA technology show even more potential.

From Salon

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• capacity 
• potentiality 
• power