2. In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.
[1913 Webster]
The duration of human souls is only potentially infinite. --Bentley. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
potentially — early 15c., “in possibility,” opposed to actually; from POTENTIAL (Cf. potential) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning “powerfully” is recorded from 1540s … Etymology dictionary
potentially — potential potential 2 noun [uncountable] 1. the possibility that something will develop in a certain way or be able to do something: • He was eager to capitalize on the commercial potential of his designs. • the labor saving potential of… … Financial and business terms
potentially — adverb (+ adj/adv) something that is potentially dangerous, useful etc is not actually dangerous etc at the present time but is likely to become so: I knew that I was in a potentially dangerous situation. | The benefits of computerised ordering… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
potentially — adv. Potentially is used with these adjectives: ↑beneficial, ↑big, ↑capable, ↑catastrophic, ↑confusing, ↑contaminated, ↑controversial, ↑costly, ↑damaging, ↑dangerous, ↑decisive, ↑ … Collocations dictionary
potentially — po|ten|tial|ly [pəˈtenʃəli] adv [+ adjective/adverb] something that is potentially dangerous, useful etc is not dangerous etc now, but may become so in the future ▪ a potentially dangerous situation … Dictionary of contemporary English
potentially — po|ten|tial|ly [ pə tenʃəli ] adverb ** possibly true in the future, but not true now: The conflict is a potentially serious situation. a potentially harmful drug … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
potentially */*/ — UK [pəˈtenʃəlɪ] / US adverb possibly true in the future, but not true now The conflict is a potentially serious situation. a potentially harmful drug … English dictionary
potentially — adverb with a possibility of becoming actual (Freq. 2) he is potentially dangerous potentially useful • Derived from adjective: ↑potential … Useful english dictionary
potentially — /peuh ten sheuh lee/, adv. possibly but not yet actually: potentially useful information. [1400 50; late ME; see POTENTIAL, LY] * * * … Universalium
potentially — adverb /pəˈtɛnʃ(ə)li/ In a manner showing much potential; with the possibility of happening in a given way. I freely assert, that the cosmopolite philosopher cannot, for his life, point out one single peaceful influence, which within the last… … Wiktionary
