potentially

adverb

po·​ten·​tial·​ly pə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

: in a potential or possible state or condition

—used to describe the possible results or effects of something

a potentially dangerous situation [=a situation that has the potential to be or become dangerous]

a potentially useful feature

By creating a personal home page, anyone can publish material that potentially can be read by millions of people worldwide.

—Peter H. Lewis

The phenomenon seemed significant for both the science of immunology and, potentially, for medicine.

—Daniel J. Kevles

Potentially adding to the cost of the bail-out is the prevailing FDIC notion that some banks are simply too big to fail.

—L. J. Davis

The result, they say, is that children are less compelled to play outside, potentially stunting emotional and physical development and exacerbating a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity.

—Sumathi Reddy

Examples of potentially in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

January 20 – February 18 Your nest could potentially use a little feathering! —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026

Those prone to seasickness should prepare for a potentially bumpy, albeit quick, ride. —Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026

Trump’s strategic interests may actually be served by not endorsing any candidate or endorsing both Republicans equally, which would prevent elevating one candidate above the other and potentially allowing a Democrat to advance to the November runoff. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially