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 Lakers have an open roster spot and are actively exploring the buyout market to potentially strengthen their roster. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Goldman Sachs believes that Biohaven offers investors an under-the-radar opportunity to invest in a potentially best-in-class kidney disease treatment. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

The city’s proposal — narrowed from an earlier version — would potentially allow shelters in areas that now encompass a lower density mix of residential, office and institutional uses that are compatible with nearby historic neighborhoods, known as MX-1. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026

And then, again, there’s also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude — a torn Achilles in May — to a really good team that has aspirations for potentially advancing in the playoffs. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially