potentiality

[ puh-ten-shee-al-i-tee ]

noun

, plural po·ten·ti·al·i·ties

1. the state or quality of being potential.
2. something potential; a possibility:

   Atomic destruction is a grim potentiality.

potentiality

/ pəˌtɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. latent or inherent capacity or ability for growth, fulfilment, etc
2. a person or thing that possesses such a capacity

Word History and Origins

Origin of potentiality¹

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

Example Sentences

Endowments are about sustainability, about the future, about potentiality.

From Washington Post

Everything was to some degree potentiality, until it got channeled in a specific direction by circumstance and the rule-scape into which one was born.

From Nautilus

If I am right that this potentiality matters, what can Americans do to retain their historic leadership?

From The Daily Beast

This action provided Virginians with knowledge of the type of terrain and its potentiality along this important borderline.

From Project Gutenberg

The determination of what is suitable to a being belongs to the superior Being of whom the lower being is a potentiality.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, even if actualization be contemporaneous with potentiality, why should not the first rank be assigned to actualization?

From Project Gutenberg

Or, if it be insisted that actualization and potentiality must be simultaneous, both principles will be found depending on chance.

From Project Gutenberg