potency

[poht-n-see]

noun

plural

potencies 

1. the state or quality of being potent.

   Synonyms: potential, capacity, energy, force, strength

2. power; authority.

   the potency of God's word.

3. efficacy; effectiveness; strength.

4. capacity to be, become, or develop; potentiality.

5. a person or thing exerting power or influence.

6. Mathematics.,  cardinal number.

potency

/ ˈpəʊtənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being potent

2. latent or inherent capacity for growth or development

Other Word Forms

• overpotency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of potency¹

From the Latin word potentia, dating back to 1530–40. See potent ¹, -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of potency¹

C16: from Latin potentia power, from posse to be able

Example Sentences

Here, Byrne races past the confines of streaming television, able to operate at a 10 from the film’s very first frame and hold that potency until its striking final shot.

Read more on Salon

Mr. Johnson is keenly alert to the dynamic, and often dangerous, potency of these stories.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The critical gesture of removal at once recognized the authoritative potency of the father, while insisting that the son was necessarily charged with representing a changed world.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Great British Chefs specified that tonka’s “most distinctive feature” is their “enormous potency — heady vanilla flavours, with oily clove aromas, and perfumed magnolia, sandalwood notes.”

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In the age of international television and social media the potency, and the perceived threat, of comedy has only grown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• capability 
• efficacy 
• efficiency 
• vigor 

When To Use

What does potency mean?

Potency means strength and effectiveness.It is most commonly used in the context of medications and drugs in reference to how strong or effective they are or are capable of being.It can also be used in a more general way to refer to the power or effectiveness of someone or something, such as a leader or a statement.Potency is the noun form of the adjective potent, which generally means powerful but is commonly applied to things that produce a powerful physical or chemical effect.Example: The medication will lose its potency if kept in the sunlight.