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noun Uncommon

potency

POH-tuhn-see

Potency (noun) means the strength or power of something, such as a drug or an argument. Example: “Doctors warned about the potency of the new painkiller.”

noun
1
The strength or power of something, such as a drug or an argument.
"Doctors warned about the potency of the new painkiller."
"The potency of his speech surprised even his critics."

How to use potency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow strong or powerful something is.

Common pairings
high potency lose potency potency of a drug

Word forms

potencies plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Doctors warned about the _____ of the new painkiller.

Etymology

From Latin potentia ('power'), the same root that gives us potent and potential.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for potency

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Frequently asked questions

What does “potency” mean?

The word “potency” means the strength or power of something, such as a drug or an argument. In plain terms, how strong or powerful something is.

How do you pronounce “potency”?

“Potency” is pronounced POH-tuhn-see (/ˈpəʊtənsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “potency” in a sentence?

Here is “potency” used in a sentence: “Doctors warned about the potency of the new painkiller.”

What part of speech is “potency”?

“Potency” is a noun.

Where does the word “potency” come from?

The word “potency” comes from Latin. From Latin potentia ('power'), the same root that gives us potent and potential.

Is “potency” a common word?

“Potency” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial