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Meaning of potential in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  4. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /pəˈtɛn(t)ʃəl/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    potential

    Definitions

    1. expected to become or be

    Examples

    • « in prospect »
    • « potential clients »
    • « expected income »

    Synonyms

    • prospective
  2. Noun

    potential

    Definitions

    1. the inherent capacity for coming into being
  3. 2. the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
  4. Qualitative Adjective

    potential

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from late Latin potentialis, from potentia‘power’, from potent-‘being able’ (see potent). The noun dates from the early 19th century

    Definitions

    1. existing in possibility

    Examples

    • « a potential problem »
    • « possible uses of nuclear power »

    Synonyms

    • latent

    Antonyms

    • actual
    • existent

Famous quotes

  • « The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. »
    Confucius
  • « The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple one: Embrace democratic reform and we will embrace you. »
    Natan Sharansky
  • « I remember feeling that technology was like trying to draw with your foot. In a ski boot. It was the most indirect way to work imaginable, but the potential had us all excited. I started in stop motion. »
    Chris Wedge
  • « It is the belief that extremes and excesses of inequality must be reduced so that each person is free to fully develop his or her full potential. This is why we take precious time out of our lives and give it to politics. »
    Paul Wellstone
  • « We shall never be able to remove suspicion and fear as potential causes of war until communication is permitted to flow, free and open, across international boundaries. »
    Harry S. Truman

Browse dictionary

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