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

Another mentioned a different kind of bias potentially at play: the grudge theatrical stalwarts still hold against Netflix. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025

Upper arm clots, like those that develop in the legs, can break loose and travel to the lungs as a dangerous (and potentially lethal) pulmonary embolus. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

In spite of these efforts, the festival is currently grappling with the fall-out from a pro-Palestinian speech by Hong Kong filmmaker Jun Li, which is now subject to a police investigation after an audience member reported him for using language which is potentially banned under German law. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025

The last meeting between these sides ended in a dramatic 3-2 victory for United at Old Trafford, setting the stage for another potentially thrilling encounter. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potentially

• essentially
• confidentially
• exponentially
• inferentially
• experientially