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

With the yen still undervalued, Ueda’s comments about a potential rate hike were creating a desire by some investors to rebuild long positions in Japan’s currency, according to Tenengauzer.

Read more on MarketWatch

The potential this opera signals is for a major cultural change for San Francisco.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Two rounds of Santa Ana winds are forecast to hit Southern California this week, bringing the potential for downed trees and isolated power outages across Los Angeles and elsewhere.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When looking beyond AI and robotics, Musk also said companies working on “space flight” are another potential worthy investment.

Read more on MarketWatch

Carriers were scrambling to update software on thousands of Airbus planes after the jet maker recalled about 6,000 A320 aircraft on Friday, citing solar radiation’s potential to interrupt flight controls.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• capacity 
• potentiality 
• power