potential

The word “potential” means an ability or quality that hasn't yet been developed or shown. In plain terms, something that could happen or develop, but hasn't yet — an untapped ability or a possible outcome.

“Potential” is pronounced puh-TEHN-shuhl (/pəˈtɛnʃəl/ in IPA).

Here is “potential” used in a sentence: “The coach saw real potential in the young player.”

Words with a similar meaning to “potential” include noumenon and spirit.

The opposite of “potential” — its antonyms — are matter and phenomenon.

Depending on how it is used, “potential” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “potential” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin potentialis, based on Latin potentia ('power'), itself from potens ('powerful').

“Potential” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Talent is a natural ability you already have and can show right now. Potential is capacity that hasn't yet been developed — what you could become with time and effort. Someone can have great potential without obvious talent, and plenty of talent while never fulfilling their potential.

Not precisely. Potential describes future possibility, so it can only be estimated rather than directly measured — through aptitude tests, past performance, or expert judgment. These indicators suggest capacity but can't guarantee it, because whether potential is realized also depends on effort, opportunity, and circumstance.

Reaching your potential means developing your latent abilities to their fullest — turning what you could do into what you actually achieve. It implies you've closed the gap between your capacity and your performance, leaving little ability untapped. It's often used as an aspiration in education, sport, and careers.

Generally yes. Telling someone they have potential is a compliment about their promise and their capacity to grow. However, the phrase 'unfulfilled' or 'wasted potential' carries real disappointment, implying valuable ability that was never developed. So the word is hopeful, though it can also hint at what has been missed.