potential meaning
potential :
possible, capable
adjective
▪ She has potential talent in music.
▪ She has possible talent in music.
▪ This is a potential problem.
▪ This is a possible problem.
paraphrasing
▪ possible – able to happen
▪ probable – likely to happen
▪ latent – hidden but capable
▪ prospective – expected in the future
potential :
ability, possibility
noun
▪ She has great potential as a leader.
▪ She has great ability as a leader.
▪ The project has a lot of potential.
▪ The project has a lot of possibility.
paraphrasing
▪ capability – ability
▪ promise – potential
▪ aptitude – natural ability
▪ capacity – ability to hold or do something
Pronunciation
potential [pəˈtɛnʃəl]
The stress is on 'ten' and sounds like 'puh-ten-shul'.
Common phrases and grammar about potential
potential - Common meaning
adjective
possible, capable
noun
ability, possibility
Part of Speech Changes for "potential"
▪ potentially (adverb) – possibly or likely
▪ potency (noun) – power or strength
Common Expressions with "potential"
▪ potential risk – possible danger
▪ potential customer – possible buyer
▪ potential market – possible area for business
▪ potential for growth – possibility to grow
Important examples of potential in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, potential often refers to possible future outcomes or abilities.
Example of a confusing word: potent (having great power or effect)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Potential as an adjective is used to describe something that could happen or develop.
potential
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
unlock potential
means 'to discover or develop hidden abilities'.
reach one's potential
means 'to achieve the best possible'.
Differences between similar words and potential
potential
,
possible
differences
Potential refers to the ability to develop into something, while possible refers to something that can happen.
potential
,
capability
differences
Potential is about future possibilities, while capability is about current abilities.
Words with the same origin as potential
The origin of potential
potential comes from the Latin 'potentialis', meaning 'powerful' or 'possible'.
Word structure
It has the root potent (power) and suffix ial (related to), meaning 'related to power or possibility'.
Words with the same origin
The root of potential is potent (power). Words with the same root include potent (powerful), impotent (lacking power).
