potent

¹

[poht-nt]

adjective

1. powerful; mighty.

   a potent fighting force.

   Synonyms: puissant, strong
   Antonyms: weak

2. cogent; persuasive.

   Several potent arguments were in his favor.

3. producing powerful physical or chemical effects.

   a potent drug.

4. having or exercising great power or influence.

   a potent factor in the economy.

   Synonyms: influential
   Antonyms: ineffectual

5. (of a male) capable of sexual intercourse.

potent

²

[poht-nt]

noun

1. a fur having a pattern of T -shaped forms, placed in alternate directions and having alternating tinctures, one metal and one color, so that all forms of one tincture face the same way and are between, above, and below forms of the other tincture facing the other way.

2. a T -shaped form used in potent or counterpotent.

adjective

1. (of a cross) having a crosspiece at the extremity of each arm.

   a cross potent.

potent

¹

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. possessing great strength; powerful

2. (of arguments, etc) persuasive or forceful

3. influential or authoritative

4. tending to produce violent physical or chemical effects

   a potent poison

5. (of a male) capable of having sexual intercourse

potent

²

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. heraldry (of a cross) having flat bars across the ends of the arms

Other Word Forms

• potentness noun
• potently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of potent¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin potent- (stem of potēns ), present participle of posse “to be able, have power”; potent

Origin of potent²

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English potente “crutch, staff, support,” from Middle French potente, potence “crutch, support,” ultimately from Medieval Latin potentia, Latin: power, potency; potent ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of potent¹

C15: from Latin potēns able, from posse to be able

Origin of potent²

C17: from obsolete potent a crutch, from Latin potentia power

Synonym Study

See powerful.

Example Sentences

Even though growing rice produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas, initial results from the trials so far suggest the rice crop is not producing more emissions than it helps lock away.

From BBC

The Red Roses had a chance at victory with one last line-out - their most potent weapon all tournament, but lost the throw as the clock ticked into the red.

From BBC

Virtue is a potent thing, and our country could use a little extra goodness radiating from its heart.

From Salon

Astute punchlines can be potent, taking on a life of their own, spreading faster and farther from their origin than nearly any official statement.

From Salon

And yet, the sport is treated by its fans as if it were biblically potent; each game a sermon, every play a piece of scripture.

From Salon

Related Words

• compelling 
• dominant 
• dynamic 
• great 
• impressive 
• influential 
• persuasive 
• powerful 
• robust 
• strong 
• useful 
• vigorous 

When To Use

What does potent mean?

Potent means strong, powerful, and effective.It’s commonly applied to things that produce a powerful physical or chemical effect, especially medications and drugs.It can also be used in a more general way to describe the power or effectiveness of someone or something, such as a leader or a statement.The noun form of potent is potency.Example: The medicine is extremely potent, which means that it needs to be used very carefully according to the instructions.