What does potentially mean?
Potentially means that something is possible, though not certain, and is commonly used to identify an outcome that could be important or consequential. For example, a policy may be potentially beneficial because it could improve matters, while a particular action may be potentially dangerous because it carries a serious risk. The adverb is especially common in academic, political, medical, and business discussion, where qualifications and future possibilities matter. Unlike definitely, it does not make a firm claim. Compared with possibly, potentially often gives greater emphasis to the significance or capacity of an outcome rather than merely noting that it might happen. It can also be used when describing a person's or thing's latent capacity: something may be potentially useful, disruptive, powerful, or successful without having yet realized that quality. In everyday writing and speech, potentially is a concise, standard way to qualify a statement without dismissing the possibility altogether.
adverbIn a way that involves possibility or the capacity to happen or become significant; perhaps.
- In a way that is possible but not certain.
- In a way that indicates a possibility of becoming important, effective, or capable of a particular outcome.
"The new treatment could potentially reduce the risk of serious complications."
"A single change in the treatment could potentially transform the patient's recovery."
"The agreement could potentially create thousands of jobs in the region."
Potentially turns an open question into a signpost: what might happen, and why it is worth paying attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does potentially come from?
Potentially was formed in the early 19th century from the adjective potential and the suffix -ly. Potential comes through Medieval Latin potentialis from Latin potentia, meaning power or capacity, and is related to Latin potens, meaning powerful. The same broad root appears in potent, potency, and potentiality.
How potentially is actually used
Common in formal and professional contexts as well as ordinary speech. It is often less absolute than definitely and may signal an outcome that is possible, significant, or dependent on further conditions.
Easily confused with potentially
Possibly states general possibility, whereas potentially often suggests that something has a meaningful capacity, promise, or risk of occurring.