potential

potentiel

Capacité de devenir très bon ou de réussir à l’avenir.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : potential to do something (He has the potential to become a fine writer.)

Synonymes : promise

Expressions courantes : show potential, full potential, realize potential, have potential

possibilité, potentiel

Possibilité qu’une chose se produise ou entraîne un résultat donné.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : potential for something (The agreement creates potential for growth.); potential to do something (This change has the potential to save lives.)

Synonymes : possibility, capacity

Expressions courantes : potential for something, have potential, great potential

différence de potentiel, tension

Différence d’énergie électrique par unité de charge entre deux points d’un circuit.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : voltage, potential difference

Expressions courantes : electrical potential, potential difference, measure potential

potentiel gravitationnel

Grandeur qui décrit l’effet de la gravité en un point de l’espace.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : gravitational potential

Expressions courantes : gravitational potential, Newtonian potential, calculate potential

potentiel, possible

Qui peut se produire ou exister à l’avenir, même si ce n’est pas encore le cas.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : possible

Contraires : actual

Expressions courantes : potential customer, potential problem, potential benefit, potential threat