You use potential to say that someone or something is capable of developing into the particular kind of person or thing mentioned.
The firm has identified 60 potential customers at home and abroad.
...potential party members.
We are aware of the potential problems and have taken every precaution.
Synonyms: hidden, possible, inherent, dormant More Synonyms of potential
potentiallyadverb
Clearly this is a potentially dangerous situation.
Potentially this could damage the reputation of the whole industry.
2. uncountable noun
If you say that someone or something has potential, you mean that they have the necessary abilities or qualities to become successful or useful in the future.
The boy has great potential.
The school strives to help each pupil to achieve their full potential.
Denmark recognised the potential of wind energy early.
The natural beauty and economic potential of the region was apparent to everyone.
Synonyms: ability, possibilities, capacity, capability More Synonyms of potential
3. uncountable noun
If you say that someone or something has potentialfor doing a particular thing, you mean that it is possible they may do it. If there isthe potential for something, it may happen.
John seemed as horrified as I about his potential for violence. [+ for]
The meeting has the potential to be a watershed event.
The potential for conflict is great.
More Synonyms of potential
potential in British English
(pəˈtɛnʃəl)
adjective
1.
a.
possible but not yet actual
b. (prenominal)
capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
2. grammar
(of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might
3. an archaic word for potent1
noun
4.
latent but unrealized ability or capacity
She has great potential as a sales manager
5. grammar
a potential verb or verb form
6. short for electric potential
Derived forms
potentially (poˈtentially)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power
potential in American English
(poʊˈtɛnʃəl; pəˈtɛnʃəl)
adjective
1.
that has power; potent
2.
that can, but has not yet, come into being; possible; latent; unrealized; undeveloped
3. Grammar
expressing possibility, capability, power, etc.
the potential mood
noun
4.
something potential; a potentiality
5. Electricity
the difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit or field
6. Grammar
a.
the potential mood or aspect
b.
a construction or form in this mood or aspect
7. Physics
a function whose mathematical derivative is a physical field, as a force or an electric or magnetic field
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈlatent
Derived forms
potentially (poˈtentially)
adverb
Word origin
ME potenciall < ML potentialis < L potentia: see potent
Examples of 'potential' in a sentence
potential
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
It can take time for a good investment to reach its full potential.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Details of the potential ban may be published today.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These companies obviously will become either potential bid targets or opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Other potential problems include criminals finding ways to trick the technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The potential for conflicts of interest is clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As a powerfully built youngster, he showed great potential as a goal threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When you're naming a squad you are looking at current form and potential.
The Sun (2016)
Do the positives of including a player with match-winning ability outweigh the potential negatives?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In a normal turbocharged car there is always a gap between you putting your foot down and the engine delivering its full potential.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They added: 'It is a potential risk to health.
The Sun (2016)
You have the potential for a great small group ministry of your own.
Christianity Today (2000)
Take the fear our of using architects and designers and explore the full potential of your home.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What they do have is a pack with stacks of ability and potential.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Potential investors may be feeling the same way.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Now they have to consider public opinion and the potential damage to sales and reputation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You may be missing the love potential of a person whose opinion matters to you.
The Sun (2011)
You also see potential creative paths more clearly and can deal with objections.
The Sun (2012)
Yet the potential role of friendly bacteria in promoting digestive health is becoming increasingly unassailable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is a clear potential conflict of interest in the two roles.
The Sun (2013)
You come into contact with great potential for writing and character.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But it has yet to reach its full potential.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But in this case the potential losses may be just too high.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The potential bidders sign and submit the tender form which contains a binding offer to pay a certain price.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Gatwick remains the sensible choice for its location, capacity and potential for speedy construction.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Indian wine industry has potential but is young.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The most encouraging research area is the one focusing on garlic's potential ability to lower cholesterol.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was supposed to be a review but turned into a document that had the potential to form the basis of disciplinary charges.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Act would inhibit the industry 's growth potential.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This behaviour has the potential for massive damage, disruption and death.
The Sun (2009)
Security bosses were forced to launch the raids early - risking potential disaster.
The Sun (2009)
His efforts have turned up critical leads, brought forward witnesses and suggested potential persons of interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Russia has vast reserves oil and gas but clapped-out infrastructure is producing barely per cent of potential capacity.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
potential
British English: potential /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ ADJECTIVE
You use potential to say that someone or something is capable of developing into the particular kind of person or thing.
The firm has identified 60 potential customers.
American English: potential
Arabic: مُـمْكِن
Brazilian Portuguese: potencial
Chinese: 潜在的
Croatian: potencijalan
Czech: potenciální
Danish: potentiel
Dutch: potentieel
European Spanish: potencial
Finnish: mahdollinen
French: potentiel possible
German: potenziell
Greek: δυνάμει
Italian: potenziale
Japanese: 可能性のある
Korean: 잠재적인
Norwegian: potensiell
Polish: potencjalny
European Portuguese: potencial
Romanian: potențial
Russian: потенциальный
Latin American Spanish: potencial
Swedish: eventuell
Thai: ที่อาจเกิดขึ้นได้
Turkish: potansiyel
Ukrainian: потенційний
Vietnamese: tiềm tàng
British English: potential /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ NOUN
If something has potential, it is capable of being useful or successful in the future.
The boy has great potential.
American English: potential
Arabic: إِمْكَانِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: potencial
Chinese: 潜能
Croatian: potencijal
Czech: potenciál
Danish: potentiale
Dutch: potentieel
European Spanish: potencial
Finnish: potentiaali
French: potentiel capacités
German: Potenzial
Greek: δυνατότητα
Italian: potenziale
Japanese: 可能性
Korean: 잠재성
Norwegian: potensial
Polish: potencjał
European Portuguese: potencial
Romanian: potențial
Russian: потенциал
Latin American Spanish: potencial
Swedish: potential
Thai: ความเป็นไปได้
Turkish: potansiyel
Ukrainian: потенціал
Vietnamese: tiềm năng
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All related terms of 'potential'
potential bid
A bid is an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something that is being sold.
potential flow
Potential flow is a way of describing flow in a fluid using streamlines .
potential well
a localized region in a field of force in which the potential has a deep minimum
action potential
a localized change in electrical potential , from about –70 mV to +30 mV and back again, that occurs across a nerve fibre during transmission of a nerve impulse
chemical potential
a thermodynamic function of a substance in a system that is the partial differential of the Gibbs function of the system with respect to the number of moles of the substance
electric potential
the work required to transfer a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a given point against an electric field
growth potential
potential for economic growth
potential audience
The audience for a television or radio programme consists of all the people who watch or listen to it.
potential benefit
The benefit of something is the help that you get from it or the advantage that results from it.
potential disaster
If you refer to something as a disaster , you are emphasizing that you think it is extremely bad or unacceptable .
potential divider
a tapped or variable resistor or a chain of fixed resistors in series, connected across a source of voltage and used to obtain a desired fraction of the total voltage
potential effect
The effect of one thing on another is the change that the first thing causes in the second thing.
potential employer
Your employer is the person or organization that you work for.
potential energy
the energy of a body or system as a result of its position in an electric , magnetic , or gravitational field. It is measured in joules ( SI units), electronvolts , ergs , etc
potential hazard
A hazard is something which could be dangerous to you, your health or safety, or your plans or reputation .
potential partner
Your partner is the person you are married to or are having a romantic or sexual relationship with.
potential reward
The rewards of something are the benefits that you receive as a result of doing or having that thing.
potential savings
A saving is a reduction in the amount of time or money that is used or needed .
potential target
To target a particular person or thing means to decide to attack or criticize them.
electrode potential
the potential difference developed when an electrode of an element is placed in a solution containing ions of that element
ionization potential
the energy usually required to remove an electron from an atom , molecule , or radical , usually measured in electronvolts
potential acquisition
If a company or business person makes an acquisition , they buy another company or part of a company.
potential difference
the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric field ; the work that has to be done in transferring unit positive charge from one point to the other, measured in volts
human potential movement
a movement in psychology that includes group therapy , encounter therapy, primal therapy, etc., is based mainly on Freudian and Gestalt psychology, and is aimed at self-realization