potential

[ puh-ten-shuhl ]

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 ¹.

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 ( def 1 ).
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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• poˈtentially, adverb

Other Words From

• nonpo·tential adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of potential¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English potencial (from Old French ), from Late Latin potentiālis. See potency, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of potential¹

C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power

Synonym Study

See latent.

Example Sentences

What was here in potential was an immersive experience — maybe the first of its kind — where you can faithfully represent your live performance so that there’s only a few giveaways that it’s not actually happening live in front of you.

From Los Angeles Times

By nominating Gaetz, and him subsequently resigning from Congress, Trump helped a loyalist avoid potential embarrassment, if not worse: As Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, the House can no longer issue a report about him.

From Salon

She said she was worried about the potential of additional tariffs, however.

From BBC

I had been investigating climate change as a new driver of both large-scale migration around the world and of potential conflict.

From Salon

In his Charlottesville manifesto, he wrote, “We have the potential to become nature’s steward or its destroyer.”

From Salon

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• capacity
• potentiality
• power