potential

The ability to become very good or successful in the future.

• This young player shows potential.
• Her teacher helped her reach her full potential.
• The team has plenty of potential but needs experience.

How to use it: potential to do something (He has the potential to become a fine writer.)

Similar words: promise

Common phrases: show potential, full potential, realize potential, have potential

The possibility that something will happen or that something will cause a particular result.

• There is potential for further damage.
• The new system has the potential to reduce waste.
• They discussed the potential for conflict.

How to use it: potential for something (The agreement creates potential for growth.); potential to do something (This change has the potential to save lives.)

Similar words: possibility, capacity

Common phrases: potential for something, have potential, great potential

The difference in electrical energy per unit of charge between two points in a circuit.

• We measured the potential across the battery.
• The potential difference was twelve volts.
• A meter showed a change in electrical potential.

Similar words: voltage, potential difference

Common phrases: electrical potential, potential difference, measure potential

A quantity describing the effect of gravity at a point in space.

• The model describes the gravitational potential around the planet.
• The potential changes with distance from the mass.
• Students calculated the potential at the surface.

Similar words: gravitational potential

Common phrases: gravitational potential, Newtonian potential, calculate potential

Possible in the future, although it has not happened or become real yet.

• We contacted a potential customer.
• The report lists several potential risks.
• She explained the potential benefits of the changes.

Similar words: possible

Opposites: actual

Common phrases: potential customer, potential problem, potential benefit, potential threat