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Synonyms

potential

American  
[puh-ten-shuhl] / pəˈtɛn ʃəl /

adjective

  1. possible, as opposed to actual.

    the potential uses of nuclear energy.

  2. capable of being or becoming.

    a potential danger to safety.

  3. Grammar. expressing possibility.

    the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.

  4. Archaic. potent.


noun

  1. possibility; potentiality.

    an investment that has little growth potential.

    Synonyms:
    potency, capacity
  2. a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.

  3. Grammar.

    1. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.

    2. a form in the potential.

  4. Electricity. electric potential.

  5. Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.

  6. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility.

    The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.

potential British  
/ pəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

    1. possible but not yet actual

    2. (prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent

  1. grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might

  2. an archaic word for potent 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. latent but unrealized ability or capacity

    Jones has great potential as a sales manager

  2. grammar a potential verb or verb form

  3. short for electric potential

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See latent.

Other Word Forms

  • nonpotential adjective
  • potentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of potential

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English potencial (from Old French ), from Late Latin potentiālis. See potency, -al 1

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.

Chevron, 17% of the energy ETF, trades 12% below its 52-week high, showing a potential double bottom and institutional buying.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

But exercise bored Folan—until she read about yoga and was enticed by its spiritual dimension: the potential to tone one’s inner life, too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

There could also be potential direct benefits to companies like Micron if the war ends and critical chip-making supplies can flow more easily through the Middle East, analysts note.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Even if in jest, prosecutors said, the conversation suggested Sangha “does not appreciate the severity of her offenses, and instead sees her crimes as a potential future revenue stream.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

All the while, he heard their excited chats about their potential new home.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young