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

Tehran is also looking to retain control over the strait to deter future attacks and wants to potentially use it as a toll booth to earn billions annually from transiting ships. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

At least 18 people are currently under observation at two of the nation’s top medical centers after being potentially exposed to hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the center of the deadly outbreak. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Ask Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley what is the meaning of another season playing to end up with a 13th pick and with potentially more of the same. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026

Altman apologized to the community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, for not alerting law enforcement about the gunman's account, which was banned months before the shooting after it was flagged for potentially using the chatbot for violent activities. —Alex Sundby, CBS News, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• circumferentially
• experientially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially