potential (pəˈtɛnʃəl) ![]() | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | a. possible but not yet actual |
| b. (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 |
| —n | |
| 4. | latent but unrealized ability or capacity: Jones has great potential as a sales manager |
| 5. | grammar a potential verb or verb form |
| 6. | short for electric potential |
| [C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power] | |
| po'tentially | |
| —adv | |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |