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

Several officials criticized Vance for potentially exploiting public infrastructure resources for his personal use amid the Trump administration's funding cuts for government jobs and scientific research. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025

If non-transparent or potentially adversarial actors shape the tools that underpin government, finance and public life, the integrity of those systems is at risk. —Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Using smelling salts can artificially elevate arousal levels, potentially masking these telltale signs. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025

In the meantime, here's what to know about the launch from Southern California, as well as when and where to potentially spot the rocket in Arizona: What time is the SpaceX rocket launch from California? —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially