# potential

/pəˈtɛnʃəɫ/ (US) · /pətˈɛnʃəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/potential
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. latent ability

noun · CEFR B2 · General-service

the natural ability or quality that could make someone or something successful in the future.

For teachers: the inherent capacity for growth, development, or future success. Often used with the preposition 'for' or followed by an infinitive.

- The young teacher saw great potential in her students and encouraged them to study hard.
- The venture capitalists recognised the startup's potential for market disruption, despite its currently modest revenue streams.

Usage: Commonly used in the patterns 'potential for' or 'potential to'.

### 2. physics/energy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the amount of energy a particle has because of its position, like electricity or gravity.

For teachers: the quantity of energy per unit of charge or mass at a given point in a field, such as an electric or gravitational field.

- The battery has a high electrical potential that powers the entire device.
- In this experiment, we must calculate the gravitational potential at various distances from the planet's surface to determine the escape velocity.

Usage: Often functions as an uncountable noun in technical contexts.

### 3. possible but not yet real

adjective · CEFR B2 · General-service

describing something that might happen or exist, even if it is not real yet.

For teachers: existing in possibility rather than actuality; describing a latent state that may be realised.

- The manager interviewed several potential candidates for the new job opening.
- The city council identified several potential sites for the new library, though a final decision depends on the upcoming budget review.

Usage: Almost always used as an attributive adjective, appearing before the noun it modifies.

### 4. grammar

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

relating to a verb form that shows something is possible.

For teachers: referring to a mood or verbal construction that expresses possibility or capability.

- In some languages, a potential form of the verb is used to say 'I can go'.
- The linguist analysed the potential mood in the text to determine how the author expressed hypothetical outcomes.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialised linguistic term; general learners will rarely encounter it outside of advanced grammar studies.

## Examples

- The young athlete shows great potential.
- The old warehouse has the potential to become a beautiful modern apartment building with just a few renovations.
- While the initial results were modest, the research team recognized the potential for a significant breakthrough in renewable energy storage if they could stabilize the chemical reaction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.