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.

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

/ pəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. 1. possible but not yet actual

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

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

3. an archaic word for potent 1

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

Other Word Forms

• nonpotential adjective
• potentially adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of potential¹

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

Synonym Study

See latent.

Example Sentences

Africa has emerged as a renewed diplomatic battleground, with China, the United States and Russia competing for its minerals, energy potential and political support.

Read more on Barron's

By September, Sonder was exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential sale or a restructuring through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Suleyman is scheduled to look at how we could navigate the realities of a potential world with artificial super intelligence on 29 December.

Read more on BBC

He had previously warned other executive ministers to be braced for the potential of cuts in the Autumn Budget.

Read more on BBC

Local authorities have also flagged the region as being at lower risk of earthquakes compared to other potential sites in Japan.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• capacity 
• potentiality 
• power