potentiality

[ puh-ten-shee-al-i-tee ]
See synonyms for potentiality on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural po·ten·ti·al·i·ties for 2.
  1. the state or quality of being potential.

  2. something potential; a possibility: Atomic destruction is a grim potentiality.

Origin of potentiality

1
From the Medieval Latin word potentiālitās, dating back to 1615–25. See potential, -ity

Words Nearby potentiality

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use potentiality in a sentence

  • Now, having the potentiality of producing, it produced within itself; its actualization was "being," and it was united thereto.

    Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 | Plotinos (Plotinus)
  • Besides, even if actualization be contemporaneous with potentiality, why should not the first rank be assigned to actualization?

    Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 | Plotinos (Plotinus)
  • Or, if it be insisted that actualization and potentiality must be simultaneous, both principles will be found depending on chance.

    Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 | Plotinos (Plotinus)

British Dictionary definitions for potentiality

potentiality

/ (pəˌtɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. latent or inherent capacity or ability for growth, fulfilment, etc

  2. a person or thing that possesses such a capacity

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012