51Թ

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View synonyms for

potential

[ puh-ten-shuhl ]

adjective

  1. possible, as opposed to actual:

    the potential uses of nuclear energy.

  2. capable of being or becoming:

    a potential danger to safety.

  3. Grammar. expressing possibility:

    the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.

  4. Archaic. potent 1.


noun

  1. possibility; potentiality:

    an investment that has little growth potential.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
  3. Grammar.
    1. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
    2. a form in the potential.
  4. Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
  5. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility:

    The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.

potential

/ əˈɛʃə /

adjective

    1. possible but not yet actual
    2. prenominal capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
  1. grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might
  2. an archaic word for potent 1
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. latent but unrealized ability or capacity

    Jones has great potential as a sales manager

  2. grammar a potential verb or verb form
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱԳپ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ԴDzp·ٱt adjective noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of potential1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English potencial (from Old French ), from Late Latin dzٱԳپ. See potency, -al 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of potential1

C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin dzٱԳپ, from Latin potentia power
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Synonym Study

See latent.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

UN special envoy Geir Pedersen said he was "deeply concerned" by violence and "the potential for further escalation of an extremely fragile situation".

From

Baeza failed to make the initial Kentucky Derby field, but trainer John Shirreffs hopes his horse will find a way into the race and showcase his potential.

From

But it’s also frightening, Acharya said, to think that political considerations are now guiding science and scientific research, erasing years of effort and thwarting potential cures and the chance at future breakthrough treatments.

From

Trump has delivered a dramatic fall in the number of migrants crossing illegally into the US, but the economy is a potential political vulnerability as he wages a global trade war.

From

SSE says it has already amended its designs to minimise any potential risks to Scottish seabirds.

From

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potentatepotential difference