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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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical potential definition - medical

telecom potential definition - telecom

potential Synonyms

potential

modif.

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


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

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.

Modifies a noun

  • impact: The study will assess the potential impact of the costs of future technologies.

Noun used with modifier

  • redox: The decrease in oxidizing power is also reflected as a decrease in the redox potentials, as shown in FIG.
potential usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

potential quotes

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)

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

potential quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"potential." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/potential>

APA Style

potential. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/potential

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