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 notesIn plain EnglishHow strong or powerful something is.
Common pairings
high potency
lose potency
potency of a drug
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like potency.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- potencies
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
impotency
Related words
Rhymes for potency
agency
latency
urgency
decency
regency
currency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
residency
See all rhymes for potency →
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.
