potent

¹ American  

[poht-nt] / ˈpoʊt nt /

adjective

1. powerful; mighty.

   a potent fighting force.

   Synonyms:

   puissant, strong

   Antonyms:

   weak

2. cogent; persuasive.

   Several potent arguments were in his favor.

3. producing powerful physical or chemical effects.

   a potent drug.

4. having or exercising great power or influence.

   a potent factor in the economy.

   Synonyms:

   influential

   Antonyms:

   ineffectual

5. (of a male) capable of sexual intercourse.

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potent ² American  

[poht-nt] / ˈpoʊt nt /

noun

1. a fur having a pattern of T -shaped forms, placed in alternate directions and having alternating tinctures, one metal and one color, so that all forms of one tincture face the same way and are between, above, and below forms of the other tincture facing the other way.

2. a T -shaped form used in potent or counterpotent.

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adjective

1. (of a cross) having a crosspiece at the extremity of each arm.

   a cross potent.

potent ¹ British  

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. possessing great strength; powerful

2. (of arguments, etc) persuasive or forceful

3. influential or authoritative

4. tending to produce violent physical or chemical effects

   a potent poison

5. (of a male) capable of having sexual intercourse

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potent ² British  

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. heraldry (of a cross) having flat bars across the ends of the arms

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Usage

What does potent mean? Potent means strong, powerful, and effective. It’s commonly applied to things that produce a powerful physical or chemical effect, especially medications and drugs. It can also be used in a more general way to describe the power or effectiveness of someone or something, such as a leader or a statement. The noun form of potent is potency. Example: The medicine is extremely potent, which means that it needs to be used very carefully according to the instructions.

Related Words

See powerful.

Other Word Forms

• potently
  adverb
• potentness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of potent¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin potent- (stem of potēns ), present participle of posse “to be able, have power”; see also potent

Origin of potent²

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English potente “crutch, staff, support,” from Middle French potente, potence “crutch, support,” ultimately from Medieval Latin potentia, Latin: power, potency; see also potent ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Potent means really strong, but not like a body builder. Use potent instead to describe things like intense smells, powerful magic potions, and very influential people. From the Latin potentum, meaning “powerful,” potent is just that: having tremendous strength or influence in either a moral or physical sense. A potent question gets to the heart of the matter and sparks serious discussion. Really stiff drinks can be potent, as can your breath after a garlicky meal. And as the composer Igor Stravinsky once asked, "What force is more potent than love?"

Example Sentences

Appeared in the March 11, 2026, print edition as 'A Potent Welsh Procedural'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

"Potent but polite," in Mariano's words, and I have to agree.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2021

Potent ideas all in search of a history.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2021

But one of the things that always makes me smile is that I’m proud of getting several Potent Potables correct.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2020

The one gay sail had a Cross Potent on it, while an enormous streamer floated from the top of the mast There were eight oars, and the two passengers were seasick.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• compelling
• dominant
• dynamic
• great
• impressive
• influential
• persuasive
• powerful
• robust
• strong
• useful
• vigorous