Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
potbound
potboy
poteen
Potemkin village
potency
potent (1)
potent (2)
potentate
potential
potential barrier
potential difference
potential divider
potential energy
potential GDP
potential gradient
potential well
potentiality
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "potential" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

potential

po·ten·tial [ pə ténshəl ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. possible but as yet not actual: having a latent possibility or likelihood of occurring, or of doing or becoming something
posed a potential danger
a potential investor

2. expressing possibility: describes a verb or verb form that expresses possibility, e.g. "may" or "might" in English



noun  (plural po·ten·tials)
Definition:
 
1. capacity for development: a capacity to develop, succeed, or become something
has the potential to be profitable
unable to use her expertise to its full potential

2. potential verb form: a verb or verb form that expresses possibility, e.g. "may" or "might" in English

3. physics 
Same as  electric potential


[14th century. Directly or via French< late Latin potentialis< Latin potent- (see potent1)]

po·ten·tial·ly adverb
Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft