latent
Americanadjective
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present but not visible, apparent, or activated; existing as potential.
latent ability.
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Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) in a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms.
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Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression.
latent learning,
a latent emotion.
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Botany. (of buds that are not externally manifest) dormant or undeveloped.
adjective
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potential but not obvious or explicit
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(of buds, spores, etc) dormant
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pathol (esp of an infectious disease) not yet revealed or manifest
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(of a virus) inactive in the host cell, its nucleic acid being integrated into, and replicated with, the host cell's DNA
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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
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.
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
It adds, however, that Russia “is in no position to make a bid for European hegemony” because European allies dwarf it in terms of population, economy, and thus latent military power.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
Routine screening is vital in catching latent TB, which can lie dormant in the body for decades.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026
Other types of cancer may in time be found to have a relatively short latent period, also, but at present leukemia seems to be the exception to the general rule of extremely slow development.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
