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

Severe infections can result in miscarriages, stillbirths, and early delivery in pregnant women, and potentially fatal infections for the baby due to spread outside of the gastrointestinal system. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Homeowners and business owners now await emergency funds that could potentially be stalled due to the federal government shutdown. —Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025

The construction of museums to house artifacts offers an opportunity for African countries to bolster their cultural tourism offering for international and domestic visitors, potentially reaping economic benefits. —Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025

As Ellie is immune to infection, Joel's job is to escort her to Salt Lake City to meet a group called the Fireflies in order to potentially create a cure. —PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially