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
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The Man Who to the Far Side of the Moon and "Mayday on Moon of Jupiter"
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Storm Runners
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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.
Individual particles can differ in composition, structure, and resistance to environmental weathering, potentially affecting when they release radioactive materials.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Under the deal, the potentially significant cost of importing millions of barrels of those blending materials is not included in the price.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
Four years ago, U.N. human-rights officials said China’s abuses in Xinjiang potentially amounted to “crimes against humanity.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Winds of this strength will blow some trees over while buildings could also potentially be damaged, leading to a risk of flying debris at the height of the storm.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
For he did not know about seeing a calf born, everything here was strange, and potentially dangerous to him.
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
