potentially
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of potentially
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; potential + -ly
Explanation
Use the adverb potentially to describe something that could happen or might be true. Your backyard leaf burning project, for example, is potentially dangerous. When there's a possibility of something occurring or becoming reality, use the word potentially. All babies are potentially geniuses, and you might optimistically watch new TV comedies every fall in the belief that they're potentially funny. In other words, babies might turn out to be brilliant, and TV shows have the possibility of making you laugh out loud. The root word here is potential, from the Latin potentia, "power, might or force."
Vocabulary lists containing potentially
Bob
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The Man Who to the Far Side of the Moon and "Mayday on Moon of Jupiter"
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Storm Runners
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They are especially interested in exploring whether boosting translation efficiency or improving ribosome quality control could restore healthier protein balance in brain cells and potentially slow cognitive decline.
From Science Daily • May 29, 2026
To have a company that has lost more than $8.5 billion over the past three years potentially carry a valuation north of $1.5 trillion certainly defies typical valuation metrics.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
The rare move allows Dubai-headquartered GMS to send four containerships for scrapping, potentially paving the way for more ships to exit the so-called shadow fleet.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
Apps, who is an animal behaviourist, said the UK needed more regulation on dog ownership to reduce attacks, potentially bringing back a dog licence.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
“You know, 1 should have let Sheriff Dean arrest both of you for tampering with a medicinal product and endangering the public health. My elixirs are carefully synthesized compounds of potentially dangerous elements.”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
