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View synonyms for potential

potential

[ puh-ten-shuhl ]

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 1.


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. Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
  5. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility:

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

potential

/ 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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • poˈtentially, adverb
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Other Words From

  • nonpo·tential adjective noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of potential1

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

Origin of potential1

C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power
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Synonym Study

See latent.
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Example Sentences

One wonders what might have become of Rice, Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown had they lived to see their full potential.

Though not without flaws, the OZ initiative still has extraordinary potential.

From Fortune

Over the years, I have seen firsthand the immense potential of corporations to nurture economic justice.

From Fortune

Even the potential for such a move is helping to keep the government’s borrowing costs down, investors say.

From Fortune

Other potential contenders include Stan Ng and Susan Prescott.

From Fortune

The eating disorder field remains divided over the potential efficacy of such measures.

But, as the people of Irving are now discovering, all of this poking and prodding is not without potential consequences.

First, they allow Paul to siphon off attention from whichever potential candidate is making news.

The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.

Is there any chance the potential 2016 hopeful will stand up to the right and embrace paid sick leave?

Thus, Virginia is well-endowed geographically and has many potential resources for future progress.

Then as a thin cloud of dust billowed up from the fallen rocks, a vision of its war potential burst upon him.

The crowd parted on either side, silenced and awed by the look of potential purpose in the face of this yesterday's hero.

Equilibrium will be established whenever the potential of the system is equal to 0.

Only the attorney who wraps the case around his heart can appreciate its vast potential.

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potentatepotential difference