potentially
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of potentially
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; potential + -ly
Explanation
Use the adverb potentially to describe something that could happen or might be true. Your backyard leaf burning project, for example, is potentially dangerous. When there's a possibility of something occurring or becoming reality, use the word potentially. All babies are potentially geniuses, and you might optimistically watch new TV comedies every fall in the belief that they're potentially funny. In other words, babies might turn out to be brilliant, and TV shows have the possibility of making you laugh out loud. The root word here is potential, from the Latin potentia, "power, might or force."
Vocabulary lists containing potentially
Bob
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Man Who to the Far Side of the Moon and "Mayday on Moon of Jupiter"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Storm Runners
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Potentially adding to the gloom was a Friday report on Bloomberg, which, citing sources, said that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of $1.8 trillion, down from $2 trillion.
From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026
Potentially adding to Warsh's challenges will be the fact that Powell has chosen to remain on the board as a member -- an unusual but not unprecedented move for an outgoing chair.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Potentially more important to Salesforce than the value of its stake is the relationship.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Potentially more problematic will be calls for compensation payments to U.S. companies and individuals — many in south Florida — whose property was expropriated after the revolution.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
Potentially it contains all the categories, but the potentiality must be actualised.
From Monophysitism Past and Present A Study in Christology by Luce, A. A. (Arthur Aston)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
