latent
Americanadjective
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present but not visible, apparent, or activated; existing as potential.
latent ability.
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Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) in a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms.
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Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression.
latent learning,
a latent emotion.
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Botany. (of buds that are not externally manifest) dormant or undeveloped.
adjective
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potential but not obvious or explicit
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(of buds, spores, etc) dormant
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pathol (esp of an infectious disease) not yet revealed or manifest
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(of a virus) inactive in the host cell, its nucleic acid being integrated into, and replicated with, the host cell's DNA
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psychoanal relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desires Compare manifest
latent content
Related Words
Latent, potential refer to powers or possibilities existing but hidden or not yet actualized. Latent emphasizes the hidden character or the dormancy of what is named: latent qualities, defects, diseases. That which is potential exists in an as yet undeveloped state, but is thought of as capable of coming into full being or activity at some future time: potential genius, tragedy. Potential may be applied also to tangibles: High-tension wires are a potential source of danger.
Other Word Forms
- latency noun
- latently adverb
Etymology
Origin of latent
First recorded before 1610–20; from Latin latent- (stem of latēns ), present participle of latēre “to lie hidden”; -ent
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.
She wants to show how there’s latent wisdom to the rule that was incorporated into this history.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
Such clout also made Zhang a potential alternate power center to Xi, who has routinely neutered even latent threats to his dominance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
However, a person with a latent TB infection is at risk of developing the disease anytime.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026
“At a higher level, it is nearly impossible to determine which software exposures at BDCs contain the highest latent risk because they are investments in private companies,” he added.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
Survivors of Hiroshima began to develop leukemia only three years after the atomic bombing, and there is now reason to believe the latent period may be considerably shorter.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
