potential
Americanadjective
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possible, as opposed to actual.
the potential uses of nuclear energy.
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capable of being or becoming.
a potential danger to safety.
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Grammar. expressing possibility.
the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.
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Archaic. potent.
noun
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possibility; potentiality.
an investment that has little growth potential.
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a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
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Grammar.
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a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
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a form in the potential.
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Electricity. electric potential.
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Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
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someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility.
The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.
adjective
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possible but not yet actual
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(prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
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grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might
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an archaic word for potent 1
noun
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latent but unrealized ability or capacity
Jones has great potential as a sales manager
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grammar a potential verb or verb form
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The NHS says 30,000 potential new stem cell donors need to be recruited in the UK every year to meet demand.
From BBC
The US weather agency cautioned that forecasters did not yet know the potential path of the storm or where it would have the most impact.
From BBC
However, there had been suggestions the government could retreat from its claim due to concern about the potential impact on pension funds.
From BBC
He sees the stock as priced for potential gains, with Apple trading at 30 times forward earnings, “below the peak multiple that is typical for shares heading into a key iPhone product cycle.”
From Barron's
It may want to wall off the Treasury market—and thereby mortgage rates—from potential risks in Japan.
From Barron's
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.
