POTENTIALITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does potentiality mean? 

• POTENTIALITY (noun)
  The noun POTENTIALITY has 2 senses:

1. the inherent capacity for coming into being

2. an aptitude that may be developed

  Familiarity information: POTENTIALITY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POTENTIALITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The inherent capacity for coming into being

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

potency; potential; potentiality

Hypernyms ("potentiality" is a kind of...):

possibility; possibleness (capability of existing or happening or being true)

Attribute:

possible; potential (existing in possibility)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "potentiality"):

latency (the state of being not yet evident or active)

chance; prospect (the possibility of future success)

Derivation:

potential (expected to become or be; in prospect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An aptitude that may be developed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

capability; capableness; potentiality

Hypernyms ("potentiality" is a kind of...):

aptitude (inherent ability)

Attribute:

capable ((usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability)

incapable ((followed by 'of') lacking capacity or ability)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "potentiality"):

perfectibility (the capability of becoming perfect)

compass; grasp; range; reach (the limit of capability)

imperfectibility (the capability of becoming imperfect)

 Context examples 

He felt a sharp gradation between himself and his shipmates, and was wise enough to realize that the difference lay in potentiality rather than achievement.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

To us he was full of potentiality.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Having issued this mandate with as much potentiality as if she had been a recognized authority in the house ever since it had been a house, and having looked out to confront the amazed Peggotty coming along the passage with a candle at the sound of a strange voice, Miss Betsey shut the door again, and sat down as before: with her feet on the fender, the skirt of her dress tucked up, and her hands folded on one knee.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

All powers seemed his, all potentialities—why, then, was he no more than the obscure master of a seal-hunting schooner with a reputation for frightful brutality amongst the men who hunted seals?

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)