French word

potentiellement

Pronunciation

IPA/potɑ̃sjɛləmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbpotentially

Example

Cette décision est potentiellement risquée.

This decision is potentially risky.

Illustration for potentiellement (potentially)

More examples

Le produit est potentiellement dangereux pour les enfants.

The product is potentially dangerous for children.

Core concept

A result waiting behind possible conditions, with no certainty that it will occur.

Common phrases

  • potentiellement dangereux

    potentially dangerous

  • potentiellement risqué

    potentially risky

Similar words

peut-être: Indicates that something may happen, without expressing certainty.
probablement: Indicates that something is fairly likely to happen.
éventuellement: Indicates that something may happen depending on the circumstances.

Definition in French

Indique qu'une situation, un fait ou un résultat peut se produire ou exister sous certaines conditions, sans affirmation de certitude.

Word origin

Potentiellement is formed from French potentiel with -ment, while potentiel derives from Latin potentialis and potentia, meaning power or capacity.

Usage tips

  • Potentiellement often has a formal or analytical tone, whereas peut-être is more common in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • possiblyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word