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
No mentally thumbing through potential column ideas; no planning the summer or even scheduling the next week. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The list of presenters also sets the stage for some potential big-screen reunions, like Pfeiffer and Pacino for Scarface, Fraser and Quan for Encino Man, and Yeoh and Curtis for Everything Everywhere All at Once. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 The fund hopes that the enticement of a large fee will help draw potential bidders to acquire some of the company’s catalogs. Richard Smirke, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 Subway is currently trying to get more franchisees to invest in the brand, but this has proven difficult, as the company has put new mandates in place that shrink franchisees’ potential profits. Angela L. Pagán, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 In addition, the Justice Department plans to review the Disney-Fox-WBD venture over potential consumer harms, per a Bloomberg report. Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 In August 2023, Trader Joe’s multigrain crackers were recalled due to potential metal contamination. Julia Landwehr, Health, 4 Mar. 2024 Balanced nutrition is important for migraine prevention, [and] eliminating every potential food trigger for migraine—many have been reported—can be overly restrictive. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2024 There’s no better time than now for SAP, DEWA, and Moro Hub to collectively focus on sustainability and enable companies in the region to enhance their efficiency, improve current operations, and tap into potential opportunities through innovative business models. Judith Magyar, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Other researchers are more skeptical of its potential as a broadly accessible anti-addiction therapy. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Arroyo hasn’t yet reached his potential because of a September 2022 knee injury that sidelined him for the remainder of that season and for all but 47 snaps during the 2023 regular season. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Could the January print — and the potential of outright inflation reacceleration — be a mirage? Cale Clingenpeel, National Review, 5 Mar. 2024 If the schools weren’t satisfied with Apple’s offer for a streaming-only deal that distributed $25 million annually, with the potential for more if subscription targets were reached, well, that’s their problem, not his. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Per standards, there should have been 12 inches of mulch filling the area below the slide with the potential of that mulch compressing to a minimum of 9 inches, the lawsuit says. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 The promotional materials for the Academy at Ivy Ridge in remote Ogdensburg, N.Y., promised hiking, team sports, horseback riding, group settings that fostered learning, nutritious food and a place for troubled children to thrive and reach their full potential. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 In my battery optimistic scenario, the sky is the limit, with the potential for transcontinental electric flights. Michael Barnard, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Still strong potential for solid actual play, but no doubt that this pairing is a little lacking for juicy storylines. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 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 18 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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