Potential
adjective
Possible, but not yet real or actual.
He is a potential candidate for the job
Often appears as...
- potential candidate
- potential threat
noun
The chance or possibility that something will happen in the future.
There's a lot of potential for expansion in this company
Often appears as...
- great potential
- unrealized potential
noun
The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
She has the potential to become a great musician
Often appears as...
- hidden potential
- untapped potential
noun
In physics, it's the stored energy in a body or system due to its position in a force field or due to its configuration.
The gravitational potential of a planet
Often appears as...
- potential energy
- electrostatic potential
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Possible, but not yet real or actual.
He is a potential candidate for the job
Often appears as...
- potential candidate
- potential threat
noun
The chance or possibility that something will happen in the future.
There's a lot of potential for expansion in this company
Often appears as...
- great potential
- unrealized potential
noun
The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
She has the potential to become a great musician
Often appears as...
- hidden potential
- untapped potential
noun
In physics, it's the stored energy in a body or system due to its position in a force field or due to its configuration.
The gravitational potential of a planet
Often appears as...
- potential energy
- electrostatic potential
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Use 'potential' to suggest that something could happen or someone could be suitable for something in the future.
He has potential value for our team.
Pro Tip 2/3Pending Reality
'Potential' implies something isn't yet real, but it could realistically happen or exist soon.
That empty lot has potential to become a community garden.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Possibilities
Use 'potential' when suggesting that not everyone can see the possible future value or outcome.
The artist sees potential in the rough sketch.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Use 'potential' to suggest that something could happen or someone could be suitable for something in the future.
He has potential value for our team.
Pro Tip 2/3Pending Reality
'Potential' implies something isn't yet real, but it could realistically happen or exist soon.
That empty lot has potential to become a community garden.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Possibilities
Use 'potential' when suggesting that not everyone can see the possible future value or outcome.
The artist sees potential in the rough sketch.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Use 'potential' to suggest that something could happen or someone could be suitable for something in the future.
He has potential value for our team.
Pro Tip 2/3Pending Reality
'Potential' implies something isn't yet real, but it could realistically happen or exist soon.
That empty lot has potential to become a community garden.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Possibilities
Use 'potential' when suggesting that not everyone can see the possible future value or outcome.
The artist sees potential in the rough sketch.
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Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
There is an awful lot of pressure, you know. First and foremost, you know, there's pressure because these guys are so important to not only us here at the zoo, but also to the breeding programme. Potentially, a lot of eyes around the world that are watching what we're doing and making sure we do a good job.
Video examples
The benefits of a...
And while a more recent study did show that reaction times and errors increase for some bilingual students in cross-language tests, it also showed that the effort and attention needed to switch between languages triggered more activity in, and potentially strengthened, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Video examples
The psychology of...
or cultural leaders. Of course, not everyone who pursues these positions of power is narcissistic. Many do it for very positive reasons, like reaching their full potential, or helping make people's lives better. But narcissistic individuals seek power for the status and attention that goes with it.
Video examples
How does asthma work? -...
which can lead to death from lack of oxygen. So how do we prevent these uncomfortable and potentially fatal attacks in people who have asthma? One way is to reduce the presence of triggers. Unfortunately, the world is an unpredictable place and exposure to triggers can't always be controlled.
Video examples
What would happen if you...
and can supplement liquid intake while providing valuable nutrients and fiber. Drinking well might also have various long-term benefits. Studies have shown that optimal hydration can lower the chance of stroke, help manage diabetes, and potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Video examples
Bill Gates: The next...
but I'm quite sure it's very modest compared to the potential harm. The World Bank estimates that if we have a worldwide flu epidemic, global wealth will go down by over three trillion dollars and we'd have millions and millions of deaths. These investments offer significant benefits
Video examples
Why are some people...
Just as young potential golfers can more easily find a set of right-handed clubs, many of the important instruments that have shaped society were designed for the right-handed majority. Because lefties are worse at using these tools, and suffer from higher accident rates,
Video examples
Concrete Tent PIPE I Didn't...
one of the most interesting and potentially life-changing developments is the creation of a concrete canvas is basically a material that consists of all the elements of concrete's but it's flexible enough to be turned into any shape however once it's been submerged
Video examples
How did Hitler rise to...
to grant him emergency powers. Within a matter of months, freedom of the press was abolished, other parties were disbanded, and anti-Jewish laws were passed. Many of Hitler's early radical supporters were arrested and executed, along with potential rivals,
Video examples
What forgiveness can...
enriches the future forgiveness doesn't mean that you give up your boundaries or your identity it's not surrender but it is new space new potential and forgiveness has to come from the position of power and forgiveness can't
Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
There is an awful lot of pressure, you know. First and foremost, you know, there's pressure because these guys are so important to not only us here at the zoo, but also to the breeding programme. Potentially, a lot of eyes around the world that are watching what we're doing and making sure we do a good job.
Video examples
The benefits of a...
And while a more recent study did show that reaction times and errors increase for some bilingual students in cross-language tests, it also showed that the effort and attention needed to switch between languages triggered more activity in, and potentially strengthened, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Video examples
The psychology of...
or cultural leaders. Of course, not everyone who pursues these positions of power is narcissistic. Many do it for very positive reasons, like reaching their full potential, or helping make people's lives better. But narcissistic individuals seek power for the status and attention that goes with it.
Video examples
How does asthma work? -...
which can lead to death from lack of oxygen. So how do we prevent these uncomfortable and potentially fatal attacks in people who have asthma? One way is to reduce the presence of triggers. Unfortunately, the world is an unpredictable place and exposure to triggers can't always be controlled.
Video examples
What would happen if you...
and can supplement liquid intake while providing valuable nutrients and fiber. Drinking well might also have various long-term benefits. Studies have shown that optimal hydration can lower the chance of stroke, help manage diabetes, and potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Video examples
Bill Gates: The next...
but I'm quite sure it's very modest compared to the potential harm. The World Bank estimates that if we have a worldwide flu epidemic, global wealth will go down by over three trillion dollars and we'd have millions and millions of deaths. These investments offer significant benefits
Video examples
Why are some people...
Just as young potential golfers can more easily find a set of right-handed clubs, many of the important instruments that have shaped society were designed for the right-handed majority. Because lefties are worse at using these tools, and suffer from higher accident rates,
Video examples
Concrete Tent PIPE I Didn't...
one of the most interesting and potentially life-changing developments is the creation of a concrete canvas is basically a material that consists of all the elements of concrete's but it's flexible enough to be turned into any shape however once it's been submerged
Video examples
How did Hitler rise to...
to grant him emergency powers. Within a matter of months, freedom of the press was abolished, other parties were disbanded, and anti-Jewish laws were passed. Many of Hitler's early radical supporters were arrested and executed, along with potential rivals,
Video examples
What forgiveness can...
enriches the future forgiveness doesn't mean that you give up your boundaries or your identity it's not surrender but it is new space new potential and forgiveness has to come from the position of power and forgiveness can't
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
God puts people in our lives on purpose so we can help them succeed and help them become all He created them to be. Most people will not reach their full potential without somebody else believing in them.
Quote examples
Stephen King
Author
But I think there are a set of experiences that turn a potential writer into a working writer, and then there are places in your life were you start to recognize what you want to do.
Quote examples
Ben Carson
American Scientist
There is so much potential out there in young people and they aren't getting the right information or being encouraged in the right ways. This is our duty as a society.
Quote examples
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Indian Statesman
God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers.
Quote examples
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
American Boxer
I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, 'I think I should get a job.' She said, 'No, just keep boxing.
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
Everybody has a creative potential and from the moment you can express this creative potential, you can start changing the world.
Quote examples
Alicia Keys
American Musician
It's when we become afraid of everything and worried about everything that you are never going to reach your highest potential.
Quote examples
Maria Montessori
Italian Educator
Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.
Quote examples
Richard Hatch
American Actor
I love inspiring people and helping them to reach their potential.
Quote examples
Peace Pilgrim
American Activist
Humanity has only scratched the surface of its real potential.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
God puts people in our lives on purpose so we can help them succeed and help them become all He created them to be. Most people will not reach their full potential without somebody else believing in them.
Quote examples
Stephen King
Author
But I think there are a set of experiences that turn a potential writer into a working writer, and then there are places in your life were you start to recognize what you want to do.
Quote examples
Ben Carson
American Scientist
There is so much potential out there in young people and they aren't getting the right information or being encouraged in the right ways. This is our duty as a society.
Quote examples
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Indian Statesman
God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers.
Quote examples
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
American Boxer
I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, 'I think I should get a job.' She said, 'No, just keep boxing.
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
Everybody has a creative potential and from the moment you can express this creative potential, you can start changing the world.
Quote examples
Alicia Keys
American Musician
It's when we become afraid of everything and worried about everything that you are never going to reach your highest potential.
Quote examples
Maria Montessori
Italian Educator
Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.
Quote examples
Richard Hatch
American Actor
I love inspiring people and helping them to reach their potential.
Quote examples
Peace Pilgrim
American Activist
Humanity has only scratched the surface of its real potential.
Example 1 of 10
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