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potential Definition

po·ten·tial (pō ten′s̸həl, pə-)

adjective

  1. that has power; potent
  2. that can, but has not yet, come into being; possible; latent; unrealized; undeveloped
  3. Gram. expressing possibility, capability, power, etc. the potential mood

Etymology: ME potenciall < ML potentialis < L potentia: see potent

noun

  1. something potential; a potentiality
  2. Elec. the difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit or field
  3. Gram.
    1. the potential mood or aspect
    2. a construction or form in this mood or aspect
  4. Physics a function whose mathematical derivative is a physical field, as a force or an electric or magnetic field

potential Related Forms
po·ten′·tially adverb
potential Synonyms

potential

modif.

possible, implied, inherent, dormant; see latent, likely 1. See syn. study at latent.

potential Telecom Definition
  1. The work required to bring a unit of positive electric charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a specified point in an electric field.
  2. Something that could happen but has not happened yet. Someone who could do something but has yet to do it, as in "He has a lot of potential." Some people never advance beyond the potential.
  3. Maybe. See also negative, null, and positive.
potential Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • realize: The play really worked with the natural elements of Magdalen College School Grounds to realize the potential of open-air theater.
  • maximize: For migratory species on the verge of stock collapse, we must now aim to maximize the potential to recover.
  • unlock: The key to unlocking the untapped potential within cities is to build an environment that is conducive to creativity.
  • explore: I am delighted that the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and Scotland's medical schools are leading the way in exploring this huge potential.
  • demonstrate: It trully demonstrates the true potential of IPOD through peripheral speakers.

Adjective modifier

  • enormous: That there was enormous potential for development in the staging of the event was undeniable, how to realize it was a problem.
  • full: I am eager to do what I can to help the children of our Province reach full potential.
  • untapped: The key to unlocking the untapped potential within cities is to build an environment that is conducive to creativity.
  • tremendous: In our opinion the business offers tremendous potential for further increase in the right hands.
  • huge: Commercial interest in the area is growing very rapidly due to its huge market potential.
  • considerable: The site was seen to have considerable potential for drawing in innovative products for the construction industry.

Modifies a noun

  • impact: The study will assess the potential impact of the costs of future technologies.
  • hazard: The first stage is identifying the potential hazards at each step of the process.
  • buyer: Potential buyers are looking for a property that they can see themselves living in.
  • customer: You will find the details of potential customers in some of the earlier replies in this thread.
  • benefit: There may also be some potential tax benefits depending on your individual circumstances.
  • threat: Free Speed Nation picks up on a potential threat to us humble bloggers arising from France's recent problems.

Noun used with modifier

  • redox: The decrease in oxidizing power is also reflected as a decrease in the redox potentials, as shown in FIG.
  • electrode: Everything else concerning electrode potentials is simply an attempt to attach some numbers to these differing positions of equilibrium.
  • earning: Her earning potential is higher in a private home, around £ 40,000.
potential Quotes

Art very possibly ought to be the supreme achievement, the'accomplished', but there is the other satisfactory effectöthat of a man hurling himself at an indomitable chaos and yanking and hauling as much of it as possible into some sort of order (or beauty) aware of it both as chaos and as potential.

—Pound, Ezra Loomis

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for thedisastrousrise of misplaced powers exists and will persist. 302

—Eisenhower, Dwight D(avid)