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powerful

adj. · adv.
US //ˈpaʊɝfəɫ// UK //pˈaʊəfəl// pow·er·ful
  1. 1 strong or influential (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having great strength, control, or the ability to influence people and events.

    possessing or capable of exerting significant physical, political, or social power.

    Example

    The president gave a powerful speech that changed many people's minds.

    Example

    The CEO is one of the most powerful figures in the tech industry, capable of shifting global markets with a single announcement.
  2. 2 effective or intense (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a very strong effect on your mind or your senses.

    producing a sharp, intense, or highly effective impact on the senses or intellect.

    Example

    The medicine had a powerful effect and he felt better within minutes.

    Example

    The novel's powerful imagery stayed with me long after I had finished the final chapter.
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  1. 3 mathematical property (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Math

    a special type of number in math that can be divided by certain square numbers.

    referring to a natural number m such that if a prime number p divides m, then p squared also divides m.

    Example

    In our math class, we learned how to identify a powerful number.

    Example

    The mathematician demonstrated that while all perfect powers are powerful numbers, the converse is not necessarily true.

  2. 4 very or extremely (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect Informal

    used to mean 'very' or 'extremely' in some local styles of speaking.

    used as an intensifier equivalent to 'very'; restricted to specific regional dialects.

    Example

    That was a powerful long walk we took this morning.

    Example

    He was powerful hungry by the time they reached the camp, having skipped both breakfast and lunch.

    Usage

    Usually placed before an adjective to add emphasis.
Origin

From Middle English pouerful, powarfull. By surface analysis, power + -ful.

Word family

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