Potentially means that something could happen or be true in the future, depending on circumstances. It points to possibility, not certainty.
“Potentially” is formed from “potential” plus the adverbial ending *-ly*. It ultimately goes back to Latin *potentia*, “power,” suggesting power that could be activated.
When people say something is “potentially dangerous,” they’re warning about what *could* be released, not what’s happening right now. The word quietly separates actual danger from the conditions that might create it.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.