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

The researchers also envision deploying larger groups of the machines, potentially involving tens or hundreds of interconnected units. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026

Each launch projects on the Space Coast also requires potentially working with the state Department of Transportation, Army Corps of Engineers, the Space Force, Federal Aviation Administration and others. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

And a playoff game, with a chance to keep the season going, carries a potentially better reward than a random bowl game. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Another would require cooperation with Arab lawmakers, potentially including support from outside the government. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

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