potential

¹po·ten·tial

adj \pə-ˈten(t)-shəl\

Definition of POTENTIAL

1

: existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality <potential benefits>

2

: expressing possibility; specifically : of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in “it may rain”)

— po·ten·tial·ly \-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of POTENTIAL

1. Doctors are excited about the new drug's potential benefits.
2. Critics say the factory poses a potential threat to the environment.
3. He is a potential candidate for president.
4. The project has potential risks.

Origin of POTENTIAL

Middle English potencial, from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to POTENTIAL

Synonyms: implicit, possible

Antonyms: actual, existent, factual, real

Related Words: conceivable, generable, imaginable, plausible, thinkable; likely, probable; conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional, theoretical (also theoretic); alleged, assumed, purported, reputed, supposed; achievable, attainable, doable, feasible, practicable, viable, workable

Near Antonyms: authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated; authentic, bona fide, genuine, true

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at latent