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

SBA could be an attractive target for a takeover due to a combination of its large infrastructure portfolio, recent stock underperformance, and the long-term growth potential of 5G infrastructure and AI.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Iran alone overlooks 1,483 miles of the now-contested waters and still accounts for only about one-third of the vector from which potential risk might come, depending on who’s in charge of which Gulf nation.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

"Belet. She's got the potential to be one of the greats. Unlike you."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• capacity
• potentiality
• power