potentiality
potentiality Lexical Profile
potentiality Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An inherent capacity or latent quality that may develop into something actual or bring about future success and growth.
"The scholarship program aims to unlock the full potentiality of students from underserved communities."
In Aristotelian philosophy, the state of possessing the internal power or readiness to change, develop, or become something else, as opposed to actuality.
"In Aristotle's metaphysics, an acorn represents the potentiality of an oak tree, whereas the fully grown tree represents its actuality."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often interchangeable with the noun 'potential', 'potentiality' is more formal and philosophical, frequently used in the plural ('potentialities') to refer to specific latent possibilities or in Aristotelian philosophy to contrast with 'actuality'.
• Rhymes for potentiality
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin potentialitas, derived from Late Latin potentialis ('potential'), from Latin potentia ('power, might'), which comes from potens, the present participle of posse ('to be able').