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The Internet offers untold potential for humanity. To make the most of it, we need to think of the Internet as 'ours.'
Mitchell Baker

Meaning of "potential" in the English dictionary

Dictionary
DICTIONARY
section

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD POTENTIAL

From Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power.
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Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.
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PRONUNCIATION OF POTENTIAL

potential  [pəˈtɛnʃəl] play
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GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF POTENTIAL

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Potential can act as a noun and an adjective.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.

The adjective is the word that accompanies the noun to determine or qualify it.

WHAT DOES POTENTIAL MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Potential

Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple release of energy by objects to the realization of abilities in people. Examples include: ▪ In linguistics, the potential mood ▪ The mathematical study of potentials is known as potential theory; it is the study of harmonic functions on manifolds. This mathematical formulation arises from the fact that, in physics, the scalar potential is irrotational, and thus has a vanishing Laplacian — the very definition of a harmonic function. ▪ In physics, a potential may refer to the scalar potential or to the vector potential. In either case, it is a field defined in space, from which many important physical properties may be derived. ▪ Leading examples are the gravitational potential and the electric potential, from which the motion of gravitating or electrically charged bodies may be obtained.

Definition of potential in the English dictionary

The first definition of potential in the dictionary is possible but not yet actual. Other definition of potential is capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent. Potential is also expressing possibility, as English may and might.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH POTENTIAL


confidential
ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəl
consequential
ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl
credential
krɪˈdɛnʃəl
differential
ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl
equipotential
ˌiːkwɪpəˈtɛnʃəl
essential
ɪˈsɛnʃəl
existential
ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl
experiential
ɪkˌspɪərɪˈɛnʃəl
exponential
ˌɛkspəʊˈnɛnʃəl
influential
ˌɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl
multipotential
ˌmʌltɪpəˈtɛnʃəl
penitential
ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl
plenipotential
ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃəl
preferential
ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl
prudential
pruːˈdɛnʃəl
quintessential
ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl
residential
ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl
sentential
sɛnˈtɛnʃəl
sequential
sɪˈkwɛnʃəl
subsistential
ˌsʌbsɪsˈtɛnʃəl

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE POTENTIAL

potent
potentate
potential difference
potential divider
potential energy
potential well
potentialities
potentiality
potentially
potentiary
potentiate
potentiation
potentiator
potentilla
potentiometer
potentiometric
potentiometry
potentize
potently
potentness

WORDS THAT END LIKE POTENTIAL

action potential
chemical potential
circumferential
circumstantial
growth potential
inconsequential
inessential
inferential
initial
jurisprudential
nonresidential
precedential
presidential
referential
reverential
self-referential
substantial
torrential
unessential
unsubstantial
vice-presidential

Synonyms and antonyms of potential in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «POTENTIAL»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «potential» and belong to the same grammatical category.
synonyms of potential

Translation of «potential» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF POTENTIAL

Find out the translation of potential to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of potential from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «potential» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

潜在的
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

potencial
570 millions of speakers

English

potential
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

संभावित
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

مُـمْكِن
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

потенциальный
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

potencial
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

সম্ভাব্য
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

potentiel
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Potensi
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

potenziell
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

可能性のある
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

잠재적인
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Potensial
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

tiềm tàng
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

சாத்தியமான
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

संभाव्य
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

potansiyel
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

potenziale
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

potencjalny
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

потенційний
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

potențial
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

δυνάμει
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

potensiaal
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

eventuell
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

potensiell
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of potential

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «POTENTIAL»

The term «potential» is very widely used and occupies the 2.757 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
98
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «potential» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of potential
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «potential».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «POTENTIAL» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «potential» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «potential» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about potential

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «POTENTIAL»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word potential.
1
Mitchell Baker
The Internet offers untold potential for humanity. To make the most of it, we need to think of the Internet as 'ours.'
2
Jennifer Beals
You can make yourself feel better about yourself if you project your shadow side, if you project your own potential for evil onto someone else. By annihilating them and, therefore, your shadow, you bring yourself into some state of purity or reformation.
3
Lauren Bush
Obviously, I've seen what the press has done to my cousins. I would never let that rule my life, but I'm not the kind of person to rebel or do things. I don't know. I don't let the potential for bad press dictate who I am, but I keep that in mind. How can you not?
4
Russ Carnahan
I also rise today in strong support of forward movement on the implementation of health information technology, which has the potential to save the United States billions of dollars in health care costs each year.
5
Iris Chang
Almost all people have this potential for evil, which would be unleashed only under certain dangerous social circumstances.
6
Chris Cuomo
I was never looking to be popular. The trade-off for me in seeking other people's opinions is the potential to help that you get in the media. And we don't always do that, but when we do, it's a beautiful thing.
7
Lynn Davies
It's perseverance that's the key. It's persevering for long enough to achieve your potential.
8
Eric Davis
I don't think any player lives up to his potential, because people out there put you so high on a pedestal, you'll never be as good as they expect.
9
Mick Ebeling
That's what we're focusing on at Not Impossible Labs, looking at problems or needs that can be solved through hacking, modding, programming, whatever, so it helps one person first but has the potential to help many others.
10
Bob Etheridge
The federal government has a responsibility to protect all Americans from potential terrorist attack.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «POTENTIAL»

Discover the use of potential in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to potential and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Releasing Your Potential
If you are frustrated by your dreams, ideas, and visions, this book will show you a step-by-step pathway to releasing your potential and igniting the wheels of purpose and productivity.
Myles Munroe, 2011
2
Maximizing Your Potential Expanded (Large Print 16pt)
Learning how to maximize your potential gives you the confidence to release the God-given gifts and talents trapped within you.
Myles Munroe, 2011
3
Reaching Your Potential: Personal and Professional Development
REACHING YOUR POTENTIAL takes a holistic approach to helping students take control of their lives and improve their self-belief. The text is organized around the four areas of emotional, intellectual, physical and social potential.
Robert K. Throop, Marion Castellucci, 2010
4
Dynamic Testing: The Nature and Measurement of Learning ...
This book provides a unique wide-ranging review of virtually all approaches to dynamic testing.
Robert J. Sternberg, Elena L. Grigorenko, 2002
5
An introduction to the event-related potential technique
A guidebook on ERPs that offers practical descriptions of straightforward methods for recording and analyzing ERP experiments along with a theoretical overview.
Steven John Luck, 2005
6
Classical Potential Theory
Includes historical notes p. 309-316.
David H. Armitage, Stephen J. Gardiner, 2001
7
The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture ...
Publisher's description. This classic book describes an experience with children from ages three to six, an experience of adults and children dwelling together in the mystery of God.
Sofia Cavalletti, 1992
8
Understanding Your Potential: Discovering the Hidden You
This book will cause you to be uncomfortable with your present state of accomplishment and dissatisfied with resting on your past success. It will turn your failure into motivation and mediocrity into excellence.
Myles Munroe, 2011
9
Potential Theory in the Complex Plane
This is reflected in the large number of applications, which include Picard's theorem, the Phragmén-Lindelöf principle, the Radó-Stout theorem, Lindelöf's theory of asymptotic values, the Riemann mapping theorem (including continuity at ...
Thomas Ransford, 1995
10
Maximizing Your Potential
With practical, integrated, and penetrating concepts, this book takes you beyond doing good to experiencing your best. If you think you've arrived and have achieved your ultimate in life, this book is for you!
Myles Munroe, 2011

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «POTENTIAL»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term potential is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Uber potential 'sexual haven for predators' - Taxi Council
The Taxi Council of Queensland has lashed out against ride-sharing app Uber, labelling it a potential "sexual haven for predators" as the war ... «Brisbane Times, Jul 15»
2
Apple-owned micro-LED display technology earns high praise, seen …
Apple-owned micro-LED display technology earns high praise, seen as potential OLED replacement. By Neil Hughes Monday, July 27, 2015, ... «Apple Insider, Jul 15»
3
Toronto's potential Olympic bid now easier with Boston out
TORONTO -- Boston's withdrawal from the race to host the 2024 Summer Olympics could make a potential Toronto bid "far more attractive," ... «CTV News, Jul 15»
4
Brandon Marshall has good excuse for potential weed test
The new Jets wide receiver, who was in Jamaica over the weekend for his sister's wedding, reached out to the NFL on Twitter to explain that ... «New York Post, Jul 15»
5
WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for July 27
The last WWE Raw of July could see a windfall of returns. A powerhouse on the mend, a fan favorite written off TV and a bat-wielding vigilante ... «Bleacher Report, Jul 15»
6
Supergrass: harvesting the energy potential of riverbank plants
The grassy banks of the river Barrow in Ireland may look unproductive in agricultural terms, but to scientists involved in a European research ... «euronews, Jul 15»
7
Projecting the Best Potential NBA Role for the Top 9 D-League Stars
We dissected the D-League's top nine stars—based on 2014-15 production, versatility and translatable skills—and charted their best potential ... «Bleacher Report, Jul 15»
8
Tuesday evening storm potential
One of the forecast tools we use that helps us estimate the potential for big downpours is showing some high values Tuesday evening and ... «KCRG, Jul 15»
9
Potential Astros playoff run causes Taylor Swift to reschedule …
Last December, when Taylor Swift announced a concert at Houston's Minute Maid Park for her current tour, the Houston Astros put their own ... «Yahoo Sports, Jul 15»
10
Fed staff error reveals “potential” output is mostly nonsense
Recall that “potential” GDP growth is supposed to show how fast an economy can expand without causing consumer price inflation to ... «FT Alphaville, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Potential [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/potential>. May 2024 ».
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