potential

1 of 2

adjective

po·​ten·​tial pə-ˈten(t)-shəl How to pronounce potential (audio)
1
: existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality
potential benefits
2
: expressing possibility
specifically : of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in "it may rain")

potential

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: something that can develop or become actual
a potential for violence
2
a
: any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated
b
: the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question

Did you know?

Potential can be either good or bad. Studying hard increases the potential for success, but wet roads increase the potential for accidents. But when a person or thing "has potential", we always expect something good from it in the future. As an adjective (as in "potential losses", "potential benefits", etc.), potential usually means simply "possible". In science, however, the adjective has a special meaning: Potential energy is the kind of stored energy that a boulder sitting at the top of a cliff has (the opposite of kinetic energy, which is what it has as it rolls down that cliff).

Choose the Right Synonym for potential

latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence.

latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

Examples of potential in a Sentence

Adjective Doctors are excited about the new drug's potential benefits. Critics say the factory poses a potential threat to the environment. He is a potential candidate for president. The project has potential risks. Noun Scientists are exploring the potentials of the new drug. The new technology has the potential to transform the industry. There is potential in the new technology, but it will be a long time before it can actually be used. The company has a lot of potential for future growth. He has the potential to be one of the team's best players. He shows enormous potential as an athlete.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In recent days, Boeing alerted airlines to a potential issue with loose switches on the pilot seats of its 787 Dreamliner jets after one of the planes went into a sudden dive, injuring 50 people, The Washington Post reported. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Municipalities that rely on property tax revenue may be vulnerable to potential shortfalls, the study says. Amy Green, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 One potential culprit for the lack of focus on the issue of eldercare is America’s ageism, especially toward the older women who shoulder most of this labor. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The company’s announcement advised potential patrons to stay tuned by tracking updates via social media. Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands is currently having a St. Patrick’s Day season pass sale for $99.99. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 These potential moves might then be combined with guidelines based on other properties of the input, in order to identify which moves might be particularly good. Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 The movie is that mirror, showing America the risks of in-fighting and the potential costs of division. Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Attention air fryer owners: Best Buy has issued a recall of more than 287,000 air fryers due to potential fire, burn, and laceration hazards. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 Rogers met up with his new, potential dater Emerson, a college counselor from Iowa, at the Windsor Hotel and Dining Room. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
Lesson #2: Look for value and quality For Green, the holy grail of investing was to find a company that was unloved, but still had steady earnings and the potential to recover. Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Witnessing the potential and hope embodied by the younger generation fills me with pride and not a small amount of awe. Kate T. Parker, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 Gene Editing Research underway into gene editing – intentionally altering the genetic code of a living organism – may also have the potential to change the microbes that produce methane in livestock’s gut microbiomes. Paul Winters, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2024 The two women behind a Palestinian-Israeli pop-up this week in Washington, D.C., knew their event had the potential to draw protests, given the humanitarian crisis created by Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Bezos’s endeavor has the potential to actually tackle some of the big issues facing alternative meat right now. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 Antidepressants and mental health conditions also have the potential to lower libido. Varuna Srinivasan, Allure, 15 Mar. 2024 He originally was charged with first-degree child abuse and felony murder, which carried the potential of a life sentence. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Other researchers are more skeptical of its potential as a broadly accessible anti-addiction therapy. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English potencial, from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of potential was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near potential

Cite this Entry

“Potential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potential. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

potential

1 of 2 adjective
po·​ten·​tial pə-ˈten-chəl How to pronounce potential (audio)
: capable of becoming real : possible
aware of the potential dangers in a scheme
potentially adverb

potential

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: something that can develop or become actual : possibility
a potential for injury
b
: promise entry 1 sense 3
an invention with great potential
2
a
: the work required to move a single positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question

Medical Definition

potential

1 of 2 adjective
po·​ten·​tial pə-ˈten-chəl How to pronounce potential (audio)
: existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality
potentially adverb

potential

2 of 2 noun
1
: something that can develop or become actual
2
a
: any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated
specifically : electrical potential

More from Merriam-Webster on potential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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