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

• potently adverb
• potentness noun

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

“As time has gone on, it’s been made leaner and more potent in its form,” said Holloway.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Although it remains in the atmosphere for about 12 years, the "super pollutant" is roughly 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period.

Read more on Barron's

“Her voice is a huge part of what makes ‘The Hunger Games’ so potent, so I wanted to let her continue to speak for herself.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and, although it does not hang around in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, it is 28 times stronger over a 100-year period.

Read more on BBC

The steel industry is a potent symbol of America’s industrial decline.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.