Potential — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /pə-ˈten(t)-shəl/ po·ten·tial

Meaning & Definition of Potential

Potential (adjective)

  1. existing in possibility, capable of development into actuality
  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")

Potential (noun)

  1. something that can develop or become actual
  2. ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence, promise
  3. any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated

Potential (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. existing only as a possibility and not in fact

    "I can see a few potential problems with co-owning a beach house with another couple"

    similar: implicit, possible
    related: conceivable, generable, imaginable, plausible, thinkable, likely, probable, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional, theoretical, alleged, assumed, purported, reputed, supposed, achievable, attainable, doable, feasible, practicable, viable, workable
    opposite: actual, existent, factual, real
    near: authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, authentic, bona fide, genuine, true

Potential (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that can develop or become actual

    "a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction"

    similar: capability, eventuality, possibility, potentiality, prospect
    related: likelihood, probability, latency, potency
    near: actuality, reality, certainty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Potential

The most common words with a similar meaning to Potential:

implicit, possible, capability, eventuality, possibility, potentiality, prospect

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Potential

Words with the opposite meaning of Potential:

actual, existent, factual, real

Related Words for Potential

conceivable, generable, imaginable, plausible, thinkable, likely, probable, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional, theoretical, alleged, assumed, purported, reputed, supposed, achievable, attainable, doable, feasible, practicable, viable, workable, likelihood, probability, latency, potency

Near Antonyms of Potential

authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, authentic, bona fide, genuine, true, actuality, reality, certainty

Origin & Etymology of Potential

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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Potential

Words & Phrases Containing Potential

potential difference, potential energy, action potential, biotic potential, growth potential

Frequently Asked Questions about Potential

What does "Potential" mean?

"Potential" means existing in possibility, capable of development into actuality. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: existing in possibility, capable of development into actuality. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Potential"?

Other words for "Potential" include implicit, possible, capability, eventuality, possibility, potentiality and prospect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Potential" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Potential"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Potential". Common alternatives include implicit, possible, capability, eventuality, possibility, potentiality and prospect.

What is the opposite of "Potential"?

Antonyms of "Potential" include actual, existent, factual and real. Near antonyms include authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated and established.

How do you use "Potential" in a sentence?

Examples of "Potential" in a sentence: "I can see a few potential problems with co-owning a beach house with another couple"; "a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction".

Is "Potential" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Potential" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Potential" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Potential" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Potential"?

"Potential" is pronounced /pə-ˈten(t)-shəl/ and divided into syllables as po·ten·tial.