different between potentiality vs possibility

English

Etymology

potential +? -ity

Noun

potentiality (countable and uncountable, plural potentialities)

1. The quality of being, or having potential.
2. An inherent capacity for growth or development.
3. An aptitude amenable to development; capability.
4. (philosophy) A possibility or capacity to be something, as opposed to an actuality describing what something actually is at present.
5. (physics) Quantum potential.

Related terms

• potence
• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potential

Further reading

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

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.