/pəˈtenʃəl/
#2139 of 5,000 Core 5000
Translation
The ability someone or something has to grow or become better in the future.
Word origin
From Latin potentia meaning power, from posse, to be able; potential is the power to become something.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- posse
- English cognates
- power, possible
Examples
.
Having potential means you could become very good with time and practice.
.
To reach your potential means to become as good as you are able to be.
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As an adjective, potential means possible in the future; a potential customer might become one.
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 43.