potentially

adverb

po·​ten·​tial·​ly pə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

: in a potential or possible state or condition

—used to describe the possible results or effects of something

a potentially dangerous situation [=a situation that has the potential to be or become dangerous]

a potentially useful feature

By creating a personal home page, anyone can publish material that potentially can be read by millions of people worldwide.

—Peter H. Lewis

The phenomenon seemed significant for both the science of immunology and, potentially, for medicine.

—Daniel J. Kevles

Potentially adding to the cost of the bail-out is the prevailing FDIC notion that some banks are simply too big to fail.

—L. J. Davis

The result, they say, is that children are less compelled to play outside, potentially stunting emotional and physical development and exacerbating a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity.

—Sumathi Reddy

Examples of potentially in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hyundai is recalling more than 30,000 Genesis vehicles due to a potentially deadly crash hazard with certain models, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. —USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

But King also flagged the song for potentially violating publicity rights laws, which allow for the protection of a person’s likeness. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024

This translates to as many as 3.6 million patients in the U.S. potentially receiving such exams; and of course, since the practice is done without patient knowledge or consent, the numbers could be much higher. —TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

Spring isn’t usually when ambitious, potentially awards-contending movies come out. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024

The Dolphins experienced a mass exodus of contributors in free agency but retooled with several low-cost and potentially high-value signings. —Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot. —Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2024

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said the evidence will show that Pecker found potentially damaging info through his tabloid network and then reported back to Trump and Cohen. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024

Kansas Republicans appear set to largely fail in their push for major changes to the state’s elections, as the state Supreme Court prepares to issue a potentially landmark voting rights decision. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above