different between potential vs possibility

English

Etymology

From Late Latin potentialis, from Latin potentia (“power”), from potens (“powerful”); synchronically analysable as potent +? -ial.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /p??t?n??l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /po(?)?t?n??l/
• Hyphenation: po?ten?tial

Noun

potential (countable and uncountable, plural potentials)

1. Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

2. (physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.
3. (physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.
4. (grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

Synonyms

• noumenon
• spirit

Antonyms

• matter
• phenomenon

Related terms

• potence
• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potentiality

Translations

Adjective

potential (not comparable)

1. Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

   Synonyms: noumenal, spiritual, virtual

   Antonyms: actual, phenomenal, real
2. (archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result

   Synonyms: efficacious, influential
3. (physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.
4. (physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.
5. (grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

Translations

Further reading

• potential in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• potential in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• Potential on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Potential (physics) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Swedish

Noun

potential c

1. potential

Declension

Related terms

• potens
• potentialvandring
• potentiell

English

Etymology

From Middle French possibilité, from Old French possibilite, from Late Latin possibilit?s (“possibility”), from Latin possibilis (“possible”); see possible.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p?s??b?liti/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p?s??b?liti/
• Hyphenation: pos?si?bil?i?ty
• Rhymes: -?l?ti

Noun

possibility (countable and uncountable, plural possibilities)

1. The quality of being possible.
2. A thing possible; that which may take place or come into being.
3. An option or choice, usually used in context with future events.

Synonyms

• (the quality of being possible):
• (a thing possible): contingency; See also Thesaurus:possibility
• (an option or choice): choice, option; See also Thesaurus:option

Antonyms

• impossibility; See also Thesaurus:impossibility

Derived terms

• logical possibility
• possibility theory

Related terms

• impossibility
• possible
• potence
• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potential
• potentiality
• power

Translations

Further reading

• possibility in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• possibility in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.