1. Existing in possibility
   "a potential problem";
   - possible
    
2. Expected to become or be; in prospect
   "potential clients";
   - likely

1. The inherent capacity for coming into being
   "The project showed great potential for success";
   - potentiality, potency
    
2. Energy of electrical charge measured by its power to do work; usually measured in volts
   "The electric potential between the two points in the circuit was measured at 12 volts"; "The potential difference between the two points in the circuit was measured at 12 volts";
   - electric potential, potential difference, potential drop, voltage
    
3. (physics) a scalar function of position determining the amount of work required to move something against a force to infinity
   "the gradient of the gravitational potential determines the local gravitational force"

Derived forms: potentials

See also: latent, prospective

Type of: electrical phenomenon, possibility, possibleness

Encyclopedia: Potential