potential

potential — adjective

1. not real yet, but able to appear, happen, or grow later if the right conditions

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

not real yet, but able to appear, happen, or grow later if the right conditions are there

Example

A loose wire is a potential fire risk in the old kitchen.

collocation: potential risk

The coach sees Mei as a potential champion after two strong races.

potential + noun for future development

Common collocations
  • potential buyer
  • potential risk
  • potential site
  • potential champion
Synonyms
  • possible

    is wider and only says something can happen, without the idea of future development

  • prospective

    is more formal and is especially common for future buyers, students, or employees

  • latent

    is more formal and suggests something already exists in a hidden form

  • promising

    adds a positive idea that early signs of success are already visible

Antonyms
  • actual

    describes something that is already real, not only possible

Grammar Patterns

potential + noun

potential for + noun

Usage Note

Usually used before a noun, especially for risks, buyers, problems, or future roles. Distinguish from noun/1, which names the ability to grow or succeed rather than the person or thing itself.

Common Mistakes

Eva is potential to win the race.
Eva is a potential winner.' / 'It is possible that Eva will win the race.
in this meaning, 'potential' usually comes before a noun.

potential — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For adjective/1, potential describes something that is not real yet but could appear or grow later. Possible is wider: it only says something can happen, and it does not suggest future development. Prospective is more formal and is mostly used for people who may take a role, such as buyers, students, or employees. Latent is also formal and stresses that an ability, problem, or illness already exists in a hidden form. Promising is more positive than potential because it suggests early signs of success are already visible. A potential buyer may never return, while a prospective buyer is already being seriously considered. A promising singer has already shown skill.

possible ↗prospective ↗latent ↗promising ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • potential for + noun

Etymology

Late LatinFrenchEnglish

Potential came into English through French from late Latin potentialis, a word based on potentia, meaning power. The core idea was having power or ability that is not fully shown yet. That is why the word can describe future promise in people or plans, and also stored electrical force in science.