Potential - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT potential /pəˈtɛntʃəl/ /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ IPA guide

Other forms: potentials

If you can describe something as possible but not yet actual, choose the adjective potential. Companies try to reach potential customers through advertising.

Potential, from the Latin potentia "power," sounds more complicated than it is. It describes something or someone that has the power to become something. A potential success is not yet a success but could be if circumstances are right. When a situation has the potential for disaster, it could turn bad easily. You have potential if you have a natural but undeveloped ability to do something and a building with potential will be really nice once it's fixed up.

Definitions of potential

adjective existing in possibility “a potential problem” synonyms: possible latent potentially existing but not presently evident or realized see moresee less antonyms: actual presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible effective existing in fact; not theoretical; real show more antonyms...
adjective expected to become or be; in prospect “potential clients” synonyms: likely prospective of or concerned with or related to the future
noun the inherent capacity for coming into being synonyms: potency, potentiality see moresee less types: latency the state of being not yet evident or active chance, prospect the possibility of future success type of: possibility, possibleness capability of existing or happening or being true
noun the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts synonyms: electric potential, potential difference, potential drop, voltage see moresee less types: evoked potential the electrical response of the central nervous system produced by an external stimulus resting potential the potential difference between the two sides of the membrane of a nerve cell when the cell is not conducting an impulse type of: electrical phenomenon a physical phenomenon involving electricity

Pronunciation US /pəˈtɛntʃəl/ UK /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing potential

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