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

• nonpotential adjective
• potentially adverb

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

Both countries believe market share for their companies across the world is up for grabs—and with it, the potential to influence large swaths of the global population.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company also organised mass holidays and banquets for current and potential investors.

Read more on BBC

It’s been a bullish start to the week on Wall Street, with stocks roaring higher Monday on optimism about a potential deal to end the longest government shutdown in history.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s been a bullish start to the week on Wall Street, with stocks roaring higher Monday on optimism about a potential deal to end the longest government shutdown in history.

Read more on MarketWatch

Gold futures jumped as the potential of an end to the government shutdown would allow government data to resume its normal release schedule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• capacity 
• potentiality 
• power