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

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said attacks on Hezbollah would intensify, potentially threatening the talks as Iran has insisted that any deal include the Lebanese militant group. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 May 2026

Before potentially ousting Starmer, prediction markets' favorite Burnham must first win a by-election in Makerfield scheduled for June 18 to become a Member of Parliament. —Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Manager David Moyes and the rest of the Everton hierarchy will also have to juggle expiring contracts, the exit of club captain Seamus Coleman and potentially find ways to fend off interest in star names. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Residents and those in the local youth baseball community were understandably concerned about the potential loss of that field, Jacobson said, and the city council has been committed to review other field resources, and potentially replace that field. —Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

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