latent

American  

[leyt-nt] / ˈleɪt nt /

adjective

1. present but not visible, apparent, or activated; existing as potential.

   latent ability.

   Synonyms:

   veiled, quiescent, dormant

   Antonyms:

   active, open

2. Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) in a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms.

3. Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression.

   latent learning,

   a latent emotion.

4. Botany. (of buds that are not externally manifest) dormant or undeveloped.

---

latent British  

/ ˈleɪtənt /

adjective

1. potential but not obvious or explicit

2. (of buds, spores, etc) dormant

3. pathol (esp of an infectious disease) not yet revealed or manifest

4. (of a virus) inactive in the host cell, its nucleic acid being integrated into, and replicated with, the host cell's DNA

5. psychoanal relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desires Compare manifest

   latent content

---

Related Words

Latent, potential refer to powers or possibilities existing but hidden or not yet actualized. Latent emphasizes the hidden character or the dormancy of what is named: latent qualities, defects, diseases. That which is potential exists in an as yet undeveloped state, but is thought of as capable of coming into full being or activity at some future time: potential genius, tragedy. Potential may be applied also to tangibles: High-tension wires are a potential source of danger.

Other Word Forms

• latency noun
• latently adverb

Etymology

Origin of latent

First recorded before 1610–20; from Latin latent- (stem of latēns ), present participle of latēre “to lie hidden”; -ent

Explanation

Latent is an adjective that you use to describe something that is capable of becoming active or at hand, though it is not currently so. The adjective latent is a tricky word to define because it refers to something there but not there. That is, latent means something that is capable of becoming active or at hand but has not yet achieved that state. The word arrived in Middle English from the Latin word latēre which means "to lie hidden." It can have somewhat negative connotations because it is often used in a medical context, as in a latent illness or infection, but it can also mean good things, such as someone discovering they have latent talents or capabilities.

Example Sentences

She wants to show how there’s latent wisdom to the rule that was incorporated into this history.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

But Yoon also tapped into pre-existing anxieties and grievances, especially among young men, activating a latent undercurrent of discontent and driving it to the surface.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

A person with active TB can develop symptoms and is infectious; a person with a latent tuberculosis infection cannot spread the bacteria to others and doesn’t feel sick.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

“At a higher level, it is nearly impossible to determine which software exposures at BDCs contain the highest latent risk because they are investments in private companies,” he added.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

There was no latent snobbery in us; we didn’t find any in them.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• inherent
• lurking
• smoldering
• suppressed
• underlying
• unrealized
• veiled