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.

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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. 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

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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

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

But for Paul, a potential move is bittersweet, as his daughter lives next door and his grandson and daughter-in-law live the other side.

From BBC

Because your portfolio is likely more conservatively invested at this stage of life, the comparison between borrowing at 6%-7% and forgoing potential investment returns is close to a wash.

From MarketWatch

"This step has the potential to move the field forward."

From Science Daily

The margin figure also lands as Wall Street weighs potential threats like tariffs, a “no-hire, no-fire” job market and geopolitical turmoil.

From MarketWatch

Trading impacts the odds — and the potential payout — for each event.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• capacity
• potentiality
• power