Meaning & use
potential
Possible but not yet actual; capable of developing into something in the future.
See it in a sentence
Investors saw potential profit in the small startup's new technology.
The coach believed the young player had potential to become a star.
A note on using this word
As a noun, potential means an untapped capacity for growth or achievement, as in 'she has great potential.'
Words with a similar meaning
possiblelatent
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
actualrealized
Another way to use it
2. noun
Someone's or something's capacity for future development or success.
The scholarship was created to help students reach their full academic potential.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “potential”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.