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Definition of potential
1 : existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality potential benefits
2 : expressing possibility; specifically : of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in “it may rain”)
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Examples of potential in a Sentence
Doctors are excited about the new drug's potential benefits.
Critics say the factory poses a potential threat to the environment.
He is a potential candidate for president.
The project has potential risks.
Recent Examples of potential from the Web
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Now, Tiff may be attempting to follow in her eldest sibling’s footsteps by testing out a potential jewelry-making enterprise.
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And the setup offers plenty of potential for future seasons.
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This test comes after a similar one on May 14th; the missile used then, also on a lofted trajectory, was thought to have a potential range of 4,500km.
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TMZ also got the skinny on a few other unresolved issues: videos that were either not paid for following delivery or were never created at all, threats to jump to another streaming service by Kanye, and potential legal action by both parties.
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In South Dakota, new felony charges will double the potential fines and prison time for physicians who abort a fetus capable of feeling pain, except in cases of medical emergencies.
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On the migrant trail, a police officer could also be a human trafficker, a soldier could be a rapist, a fellow migrant could be a smuggler, and a potential love interest could turn into a future pimp.
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The typical select organization doesn’t boast a budget large enough to cover player travel, a potential competitive disadvantage.
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An employee there told us they’d rented dozens of units to potential flood victims.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'potential'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Potential can be either good or bad. Studying hard increases the potential for success, but wet roads increase the potential for accidents. But when a person or thing "has potential", we always expect something good from it in the future. As an adjective (as in "potential losses", "potential benefits", etc.), potential usually means simply "possible". In science, however, the adjective has a special meaning: Potential energy is the kind of stored energy that a boulder sitting at the top of a cliff has (the opposite of kinetic energy, which is what it has as it rolls down that cliff).
Origin and Etymology of potential
Middle English potencial, from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens
Synonym Discussion of potential
potential
Definition of potential
1a : something that can develop or become actual a potential for violenceb : promise 2
2a : any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculatedb : the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in questionc : potential difference
Examples of potential in a Sentence
Scientists are exploring the potentials of the new drug.
The new technology has the potential to transform the industry.
There is potential in the new technology, but it will be a long time before it can actually be used.
The company has a lot of potential for future growth.
He has the potential to be one of the team's best players.
He shows enormous potential as an athlete.
Recent Examples of potential from the Web
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Vice Media Inc. and BuzzFeed Inc. have raised millions from investors at valuations surpassing $1 billion because of their potential in video — not written news.
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The U.S. government hasn’t legalized marijuana and still classifies it as a Schedule I drug — with high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use and no safe use under medical supervision.
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Another example of the lineup’s potential was the fourth inning.
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That means there is potential for Mitchell to compete for serious minutes at both guard spots.
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The greatest potential for flooding will be along the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and far southeast Texas.
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That disparity — between his potential to push through an agenda for deep change because of his majority and the narrowness of his true popular support — could eventually spell trouble for a young and relatively untested president.
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The prime minister’s most prominent potential rival, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, sought to quash any suggestion that she would be ousted imminently.
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Murphy said that hemp’s immediate growth potential revolves around cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabis compound that is currently being researched as a potential treatment for a wide spectrum of ailments.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'potential'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of potential
1587
POTENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners
potential
playDefinition of potential for English Language Learners
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: capable of becoming real
potential
Definition of potential for English Language Learners
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: a chance or possibility that something will happen or exist in the future
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: a quality that something has that can be developed to make it better
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: an ability that someone has that can be developed to help that person become successful
POTENTIAL Defined for Kids
Definition of potential for Students
: existing as a possibility : capable of becoming real potential dangers
potentially
adverb a potentially profitable businessMedical Dictionary
potential
Medical Definition of potential
1: something that can develop or become actual
2a: any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated; specifically : electrical potentialb: potential difference
Learn More about potential
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for potential Spanish Central: Translation of potential Nglish: Translation of potential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of potential for Arabic speakers
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