Potential meaning

pə-tĕn'shəl

Potential is defined as the possibility of becoming something.

An example of potential is the highest grades of which a particular student is capable.

noun

Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped.

A potential problem; a substance with many potential uses.

adjective

The definition of potential is having the power or being capable of happening.

An example of potential is dinner plans that are not yet definite.

adjective

Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

adjective

The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success.

An investment with a lot of potential; a singer who has the potential to become a major star.

noun

A potential verb form.

noun

That can, but has not yet, come into being; possible; latent; unrealized; undeveloped.

adjective

That has power; potent.

adjective

A function whose mathematical derivative is a physical field, as a force or an electric or magnetic field.

noun

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions.

A tense situation with the potential to turn into a riot; farming practices that increase the potential for the erosion of topsoil.

noun

The difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit or field.

noun

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.

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.

Maybe. See also negative, null, and positive.

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

Even from a young age it was clear that she had the potential to become a great musician.

noun

(physics) The gravitational potential is the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.

noun

(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.

noun

(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

noun

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

The heroic man,—and is not every man, God be thanked, a potential hero?—has to do so, in all times and circumstances.

adjective

(archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.

And hath, in his effect, a voice potential.

adjective

(physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.

From Maxwell equations (6.20) it follows that the electric field is potential: E(r) = −gradφ(r).

adjective

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

The non-viscous flow of the vacuum should be potential (irrotational).

adjective

(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

adjective

Expressing possibility, capability, power, etc.

The potential mood.

adjective

Origin of potential

Middle English potencial from Old French potenciel from Late Latin potentiālis powerful from Latin potentia power from potēns potent- present participle of posse to be able potent

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Late Latin potentialis, from Latin potentia (“power”), from potens (“powerful”); synchronically analyzable as potent +‎ -ial.

From Wiktionary

Potential meaning

Origin of potential

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

From Wiktionary

Potential Sentence Examples

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Words near potential in the Dictionary

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