potential

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Possible or likely in the future, but not real or certain yet.

   Grammar: Always comes before a noun: a potential problem, not 'a problem potential.'

   Patterns

   • a potential problem
   • potential danger
   • potential benefits
   • potential customer

   The engineers found a potential fault in the braking system before any accidents happened.

   Buying a house is a big step, so consider all the potential costs carefully.

   Doctors warned that the new virus was a potential threat to older patients.

2. 2noununcountable

   The ability or capacity someone or something has to develop, improve, or succeed in the future.

   Grammar: No plural and no article: 'she has great potential,' not 'a great potential.' Often followed by for: potential for growth.

   Patterns

   • have (great) potential
   • reach your full potential
   • realize your potential
   • potential for something

   The coach says the young swimmer has real potential if she keeps training.

   The region has enormous potential for tourism that has not yet been developed.

   He never reached his full potential because he lacked confidence.

3. 3noununcountablephysicstechnical

   In physics, a measure of stored energy at a point in a field, such as electric or gravitational potential.

   Grammar: Used mainly in scientific phrases like electric potential; rarely used alone.

   Patterns

   • electric potential
   • gravitational potential
   • potential energy

   The battery maintains an electric potential between its two terminals.

   Water held behind a dam has potential energy because of its height.

Common combinations

a potential danger

Loose wires on the stairs are a potential danger to children.

potential benefits

We weighed the potential benefits of the new schedule against the extra cost.

have great potential

The app is rough, but it has great potential.

reach your full potential

Small class sizes help every student reach their full potential.

potential for growth

Analysts see strong potential for growth in the renewable energy market.

Synonyms and how they differ

possible

Possible only says something could happen; potential adds the idea that it could develop into something real and significant.

prospective

Prospective means expected to become something specific, like a buyer or employee; potential is broader and can describe any future development.

latent

Latent describes an ability or quality that exists but is hidden or unused; it is more formal and less common than potential.

Opposites

Word family

potentially adverb

In a way that is possible but not yet certain: a potentially serious problem.

potentiality noun

A formal word for a possibility or undeveloped ability; rarely used in everyday speech.

potency noun

The strength or power of something, such as a medicine or an argument.

potent adjective

Very powerful or effective; note that it does not mean 'possible.'

Commonly confused: potential or possible? potential or potent?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “potential”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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