potential (pəˈtɛnʃəl
)
Definitions
adjective
- possible but not yet actual
- (prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
- grammar (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English and might
- an archaic word for potent1
noun
- latent but unrealized ability or capacity ⇒
Jones has great potential as a sales manager
- grammar a potential verb or verb form
- short for electric potential
Alternative Forms
poˈtentially adverbWord Origin
C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia powerSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
ability,
possibilities,
capacity,
capability,
the makings
what it takes,
aptitude,
wherewithal,
potentiality,
Translations
- British English:
potential
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.pəˈtɛnʃəl ADJECTIVE The firm has identified 60 potential customers.
- Spanish:
potencial
adj
- French:
potentiel
adj
- German:
potenziell
adj
- Chinese: 潜在的 adj
- Arabic: مُـمْكِن adj
- Portuguese: potencial adj
- Russian: потенциальный adj потенциальная
- Croatian: potencijalan adj potencijalna
- Czech: potenciální adj
- Danish: potentiel adj
- Dutch: potentieel adj
- Finnish: mahdollinen adj
- Greek: δυνάμει adj
- Italian: potenziale adj
- Japanese: 可能性のある no_posp
- Korean: 잠재적인 adj
- Norwegian: potensiell adj
- Polish: potencjalny adj potencjalna
- Brazilian Portuguese: potencial adj
- European Spanish:
potencial
adj
- Swedish: eventuell adj eventuellt
- Thai: ที่อาจเกิดขึ้นได้ adj
- Turkish: potansiyel adj
- Vietnamese: tiềm tàng adj
- British English:
potential
If something has potential, it is capable of being useful or successful in the future.The boy has great potential.pəˈtɛnʃəl NOUN The boy has great potential.
- Spanish:
potencial
nm
- French:
potentiel
nm
- German:
Potenzial
nnt
- Chinese: 潜能 n
- Arabic: إِمْكَانِيَّة n
- Portuguese: potencial nm
- Russian: потенциал nm
- Croatian: potencijal nm
- Czech: potenciál nm
- Danish: potentiale nnt
- Dutch: potentieel nnt
- Finnish: potentiaali n
- Greek: δυνατότητα nf
- Italian: potenziale nm
- Japanese: 可能性 n
- Korean: 잠재성 n
- Norwegian: potensial nnt
- Polish: potencjał nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: potencial nm
- European Spanish:
potencial
nm
- Swedish: potential nutr
- Thai: ความเป็นไปได้ n
- Turkish: potansiyel n
- Vietnamese: tiềm năng n
Usage examples
He was worried about the Englishman's potential relationship with Raisa.
, Cover Story (1986)This potential obstacle, however, only made the residents of Cwym Brefi more determined.
Country Life (2004)Mr Buckley has vehemently supported its continuance as part of AIB group citing its strong franchise and growth potential.
Irish Times (2002)Consequently most of a new generation of potential champions are absent.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Kundalini is potential energy waiting to be released: here is the seed of awakening.
, MOVING INTO ECSTASY: An Urban Mystic's Guide to Movement, Music and Meditation (2001)