potency
Americannoun
-
the state or quality of being potent.
-
the potency of God's word.
-
capacity to be, become, or develop; potentiality.
-
a person or thing exerting power or influence.
-
Mathematics. cardinal number.
noun
-
the state or quality of being potent
-
latent or inherent capacity for growth or development
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of potency
From the Latin word potentia, dating back to 1530–40. See potent 1, -ency
Explanation
Use the noun potency when you're talking about the strength of something. You could refer to the potency of a drug or the potency of a political leader. Potency is an official measurement in pharmacology, or the science of prescribing drugs. It's also useful for describing a person's power or authority over others. The Latin root word is potentia, or "power," and its origin goes all the way back to the Sanskrit word for "master or husband," patih. The word potency has historically been associated with men, but it's fine to use it to describe a woman's power too.
Vocabulary lists containing potency
The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 9–15
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 17
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A rave likely loses its FOMO-inducing potency when it feels as if you can go to one all the time at your local mall.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026
That surge in lethality underscores the potency of the high-tech but cheaply made drones.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026
He also designed a container to transport the vaccine, to minimize contact with heat and air to ensure its potency.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
"PAM is a truly fascinating enzyme because it's the only enzyme we have that's capable of a chemical process called amidation, which increases the half-life or the potency of biologically active peptides," Gloyn said.
From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026
“But I can decrease the half-life while simultaneously making the potency tenfold.”
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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.
