potential

American  

[puh-ten-shuhl] / pəˈtɛn ʃəl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Synonym Usage

See latent.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpotential
  adjective
• potentially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of potential

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

Explanation

If you can describe something as possible but not yet actual, choose the adjective potential. Companies try to reach potential customers through advertising. Potential, from the Latin potentia "power," sounds more complicated than it is. It describes something or someone that has the power to become something. A potential success is not yet a success but could be if circumstances are right. When a situation has the potential for disaster, it could turn bad easily. You have potential if you have a natural but undeveloped ability to do something and a building with potential will be really nice once it's fixed up.

Example Sentences

The central bank might even raise borrowing costs in 2026, which would be bad news for businesses, potential home buyers and other consumers seeking loans.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Some Venice residents loudly objected to building what they labeled the “monster on the median,” criticizing the project’s scale, cost and potential negative effects on traffic and safety.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Despite recent foreign-exchange intervention, the Japanese currency has weakened again to near the 160 threshold against the dollar, a level seen as a potential trigger for more government action.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Before the game, in his BBC Sport column, Gael Clichy, who coached Olise at the Paris Olympics, said he had the potential to be the breakthrough star at the tournament.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

To them, what mattered was that it gave the United States an advantage over potential enemies.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• capacity
• potentiality
• power