Home / Dictionary / potential
potential
Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)
"Even from a young age it was clear that she had the potential to become a great musician."
The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.
The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.
Existing in possibility, not in actuality.
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result
Similar: efficacious, influential
A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.
Practice "potential" in context
WordNote uses spaced repetition across multiple quiz levels, from recognizing the meaning to recalling it in active practice.
Save to WordNote — it's free →No credit card. No install required.