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

Before Wednesday, stock traders hoped the Fed would remain aggressive with interest-rate cuts next year, potentially extending the current bull market. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Many are visibly disturbed, and potentially volcanic. —Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024

When did your own personal turning point come, realizing this could potentially be your career? —Silvia Danielli, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024

An Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN that a deal was still potentially weeks away. —Abeer Salman, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above