latent

adjective la·tent \ ˈlā-tᵊnt \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of latent

: present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic

a latent infection

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latently

adverb

See latent defined for English-language learners

See latent defined for kids

Examples of latent in a Sentence

On the ground in Afghanistan there is some latent, if wary, gratitude for American aid over the years, but no one expects to build a foundation for the Taliban's downfall on a couple of million rice cakes. —Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001
There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed. —Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910
Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy. —Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet

Recent Examples of latent from the Web

As India and America enter election seasons, latent trade tensions and Indian anxiety over a possible curtailment of high-skilled visas threaten to expose an underlying fragility in the relationship.

— atman trivedi, The New Republic, "The U.S.-India Relationship Needs Work," 15 May 2018
Many of us grew up camping in a VW bus, sparking both a love of the outdoors and a latent affinity toward life on the road.

— megan barber, Curbed, "Why the Volkswagen California van is the camper we need," 9 May 2018
She could just as easily be called, in the language of the later twentieth century, a fetishistic transvestite, a lesbian, a latent transsexual or a hermaphrodite.

— Longreads, "The Roaring Girls of Queer London," 8 May 2018
Officers processed the vehicle and recovered a partial latent print from the front passenger side door.

— kari barnett, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boynton Beach Area Crime Log: April 8-24," 7 May 2018
Now, the information is outside of our control, stored in address books of friends and latent in our social networks and family ties.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "Privacy Is Dead. Here’s What Comes Next," 6 May 2018
In addition, latent fingerprints found on evidence collected from the crime scene linked Collier to the robbery.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "New Orleans man accused of trying to rob Central City bank," 1 May 2018
Perhaps a journalist’s latent desire for the more colorful figures to succeed.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Appreciating Rafael Nadal's Jaw-Dropping Brilliance on Clay," 25 Apr. 2018
Especially not after a modern nighttime routine of removing makeup, brushing teeth, changing into my PJs, and watching two Facebook videos about latent viruses lurking in the melting ice caps.

— sophia benoit, GQ, "Couch Sex Is the Best Sex," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'latent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of latent

Middle English, from Latin latent-, latens, from present participle of latēre to lie hidden; akin to Greek lanthanein to escape notice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

latent Synonyms

Phrases

at rest, on the shelf, out of commission;

Synonym Discussion of latent

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

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

latent

noun la·tent \ ˈlā-tᵊnt \

Definition of latent

: a fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime) that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study — called also latent fingerprint, latent print

Recent Examples of latent from the Web

There is nothing as intoxicating as possibility, and the promise latent in every beauty consumable, no matter how tackily packaged or how ludicrous its claims, is matched only by the near guarantee of equivalent disappointment.

— charlotte shane, The Cut, "I Think About This a Lot: Emily Weiss’s Wedding Prep Routine," 3 Apr. 2018
Most of those deposits are cash, taken off the streets and thereby reducing the latent, associated threat of robbery — a threat not just to those working in the industry but also to the ordinary people around them.

— robb mandelbaum, New York Times, "Where Pot Entrepreneurs Go When the Banks Just Say No," 4 Jan. 2018
Instead, the characters in this play learn to love one another, traveling into the light and finding their way to the meaning of God through the latent divine spark within each of us.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Funny nativity play captures humble spirit of Christmas," 16 Dec. 2017

Origin and Etymology of latent

see ¹latent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1920

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

LATENT Defined for English Language Learners

latent

adjective

Definition of latent for English Language Learners

—used to describe something (such as a disease) that exists but is not active or cannot be seen

LATENT Defined for Kids

latent

adjective la·tent \ ˈlā-tᵊnt \

Definition of latent for Students

: present but not visible or active

a latent infection

Medical Dictionary

latent

adjective la·tent \ ˈlāt-ᵊnt \

medical Definition of latent

: existing in hidden or dormant form: as

a : present or capable of living or developing in a host without producing visible symptoms of disease

a latent virus

a latent infection

b : not consciously expressed

latent anxiety

c : relating to or being the latent content of a dream or thought

—

latently

adverb

Law Dictionary

latent

adjective la·tent \ ˈlāt-ᵊnt \

legal Definition of latent

: existing in hidden or dormant form but usually capable of being brought to light — compare patent

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latent

Definition of latent

latently

Examples of latent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of latent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of latent

latent Synonyms

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Phrases

Synonym Discussion of latent

Other Psychology Terms

latent

Definition of latent

Recent Examples of latent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of latent

LATENT Defined for English Language Learners

latent

Definition of latent for English Language Learners

LATENT Defined for Kids

latent

Definition of latent for Students

Medical Dictionary

latent

medical Definition of latent

latently

Law Dictionary

latent

legal Definition of latent

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