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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025

The edict is also risky, potentially giving viewers the sense that Brennan is less able to question or challenge her guests — one of the main elements of TV’s Sunday political shows that bring viewers to them in the first place. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

The historic Davenport-Curtiss House — a stately mansion and one of the most recognizable homes in Saline — may eventually be open to the public for things like weddings and events now that officials have taken the first step toward potentially purchasing the residence and its surrounding grounds. —Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Overall, says Napon, Anutin’s government may lean into decentralization, potentially granting more authority or more funding to local governments to start building support for future elections. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially