potential
possible, as opposed to actual: the potential uses of nuclear energy.
capable of being or becoming:a potential danger to safety.
Grammar. expressing possibility: the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.
Archaic. potent1.
possibility; potentiality: an investment that has little growth potential.
a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
Grammar.
a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
a form in the potential.
Electricity. electric potential (def. 1).
Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility: The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.
Origin of potential
1synonym study For potential
Other words for potential
Other words from potential
- non·po·ten·tial, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use potential in a sentence
To him, it was a city with great achievements and even more potential.
Washington Is Sorely Missing the Legislative Genius of Howard Baker | James Andrew Miller | June 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey are rare: Astronomers have found only 21 magnetars so far (with five more potential candidates).
Even so, this scandal has a bit more potential for administration critics looking to score political points.
Obama’s Sexy Scandals: Secret Service Colombian Hookers, GSA Vegas Trips | Michelle Cottle | April 18, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut for Katzenberg, this is just one more potential trouble spot among the many that he has been facing.
To bring a multitude in hot assemblage, strife is generally more potential than peace, assume what voice the latter may.
The Prince of India, Volume I | Lew. Wallace
Gibberish was believed to be more potential in magic than was language which the practitioner or his dupes could comprehend.
But with her another thing had happened fraught with more potential significance than them all.
Arundel | Edward Frederic BensonThere will naturally also be a more potential voice on the side, whichever it is, that brings the means of support.
The Subjection of Women | John Stuart MillEvery day this stranger became more and more potential with Maltravers.
Ernest Maltravers, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
British Dictionary definitions for potential
/ (pəˈtɛnʃəl) /
possible but not yet actual
(prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might
an archaic word for potent 1
latent but unrealized ability or capacity: Jones has great potential as a sales manager
grammar a potential verb or verb form
short for electric potential
Origin of potential
1Derived forms of potential
- potentially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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