potency
Americannoun
plural
potencies-
the state or quality of being potent.
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the potency of God's word.
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capacity to be, become, or develop; potentiality.
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a person or thing exerting power or influence.
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Mathematics. cardinal number.
noun
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the state or quality of being potent
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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
- overpotency noun
Etymology
Origin of potency
From the Latin word potentia, dating back to 1530–40. See potent 1, -ency
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.
But when he saw it again at the Cannes Film Festival last year, he was pleased to realize it maintains its potency.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Economic coercion over time loses potency as the targets adjust.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
While it might be a little silly, there’s a real potency to seeing all of those pairs smooching for a few seconds under a giant sprig of mistletoe.
From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025
"We also identified other herbs, such as thyme and oregano, that may activate TRPA1. But rosemary stood out for its potency and safety," said Rapp Reyes, co-lead author of the study.
From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2025
Each untimely end came draped in its own shroud of dread, like a recurring nightmare that never lost its potency.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
