latent

[ leyt-nt ]

/ ˈleɪt nt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for latent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

present but not visible, apparent, or activated; existing as potential: latent ability.

Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) in a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms. Compare dormant (def. 4).

Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression: latent learning,a latent emotion.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR latent

1 dormant, quiescent, veiled.

See synonyms for latent on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR latent

1 open, active.

See antonyms for latent on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of latent

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

synonym study for latent

1. 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 WORDS FROM latent

la·tent·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use latent in a sentence

To unlock the secrets of the island and her own latent abilities, Norah will have to play instruments, translate symbols, arrange constellations, manipulate water levels and press all sorts of levers at the right time or in a particular order.
‘Call of the Sea’: Strictly for hardcore puzzlers|Christopher Byrd|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
What’s particularly troubling here, though, is that the political rhetoric from politicians and media personalities are really whipping up latent attitudes of resentment to create the politics of outrage we saw on display last Wednesday.
How Much Danger Is American Democracy In?|Sarah Frostenson (sarah.frostenson@abc.com)|January 12, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
The key is to build Aji, or latent opportunity or potentiality, into one’s board position.
Playing Go with Darwin - Issue 94: Evolving|David Krakauer|December 16, 2020|Nautilus
This process releases enough latent heat to account for the energy difference between the two states.
How materials you’ve never heard of could clean up air conditioning|James Temple|November 12, 2020|MIT Technology Review

This activates some of the latent topologies that the gravitational path integral includes.
The Most Famous Paradox in Physics Nears Its End|George Musser|October 29, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The deeper sort, however, usually felt it latently English enough.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
Now each volition contains latently either an attracting or an opposing element.
An Introduction to Psychology|Wilhelm Max Wundt
But a more serious consequence is latently contained in it, and nothing else than the Nestorian heresy, viz.
An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine|John Henry Cardinal Newman
This one's mind, he could now see, was immature but latently capable.
Man of Many Minds|E. Everett Evans
It was Kraft who first voiced the fear that each of us must have held latently.
The Four Million|O. Henry

British Dictionary definitions for latent

latent

/ (ˈleɪtənt) /

adjective

potential but not obvious or explicit

(of buds, spores, etc) dormant

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

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

psychoanal relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desireslatent content Compare manifest (def. 2)

Derived forms of latent

latency, nounlatently, adverb

Word Origin for latent

C17: from Latin latēnt-, from latens present participle of latēre to lie hidden

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

latent

OTHER WORDS FOR latent

OPPOSITES FOR latent

Origin of latent

synonym study for latent

OTHER WORDS FROM latent

Words related to latent

How to use latent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for latent

Derived forms of latent

Word Origin for latent