ENGLISH
REFERENCE

potent

adj.
US //ˈpoʊtənt// UK //pˈəʊtənt// po·tent
  1. 1 strong or effective (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very strong and having a powerful effect on your body or mind.

    possessing great power, influence, or physical effect; often used to describe substances or persuasive forces.

    Example

    The doctor warned her that the new medicine was very potent and might cause sleepiness.

    Example

    The documentary provided a potent reminder of the environmental challenges facing the region, sparking immediate public debate and policy review.
  2. 2 chemically concentrated (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    having a very strong smell, taste, or chemical strength.

    chemically or biologically concentrated; producing a strong sensory or physiological reaction.

    Example

    The potent smell of onions filled the entire house while he was cooking.

    Example

    The laboratory analysis confirmed that the sample contained a potent neurotoxin, necessitating immediate containment protocols to protect the staff.
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  1. 3 sexually capable (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Medicine

    able to have sex or produce children.

    referring to a male's ability to achieve an erection or to procreate.

    Example

    The farmer checked if the bull was still potent enough to breed with the herd.

    Example

    Clinical studies focused on whether the treatment allowed patients to remain potent throughout the duration of the long-term therapy.
Origin

From Middle English potent, borrowed from Latin potens, potentis (“powerful, strong, potent”), present participle of posse (“to be able”), from potis (“able, powerful, originally a lord, master”).

Word family

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