potentiality

noun

po·​ten·​ti·​al·​i·​ty pə-ˌten(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural potentialities

1

: the ability to develop or come into existence

2

: potential sense 1

Synonyms

• capability
• eventuality
• possibility
• potential
• prospect

Examples of potentiality in a Sentence

would like to see a colony on the moon as an actuality and not merely a potentiality

Recent Examples on the Web

If Vietnam damaged the credibility of experts, experts were no more inclined to value the democratic potentialities of the public. —Daniel Bessner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2017

Today’s reality-TV and SJW movies pervert the potentialities of spiritual and social realism. —Armond White, National Review, 19 June 2024

My moral object, therefore, is to attempt to direct the efforts of men toward the clear appreciation of reality, exposing the illusory in order that man may realize his creative potentialities. —Andrew Aoyama, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024

This is a negative freedom that does not expand one’s sense of self so much as shrink it to pure potentiality. —Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

potentiality

noun

po·​ten·​ti·​al·​i·​ty pə-ˌten-chē-ˈal-ət-ē 

plural potentialities

1

: the ability to develop or to come into existence

2

: potential entry 2 sense 1a