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

One potential drawback: Investments in different funds may become correlated as a result.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

“Pullbacks are the admission price for participating in the potential of long-term growth.”

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Historically, about 80% of potential pararescuemen wash out of the course, although it is often more, according to military news site Sofrep.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

When asked about the potential couple in early March on “Watch What Happens,” Cooke shared that while he thought the rumors were “outrageous,” he would be supportive of Batula.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It was almost a hundred-mile journey, but there was the promise of a potential job in Berlin.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• capacity
• potentiality
• power