potential1/pəˋtɛnʃəl; pəˈtenʃ$l/adj [only before noun 仅用于名词前] likely to become a particular type of person or thing in the future 潜在的﹐有可能的: potential customers/buyers/clients etc The salesmen were eager to impress potential customers. 那些推销员竭力想给潜在顾客留下深刻印象。Potential buyers have expressed interest in the building. 几个潜在买家对这栋大楼表示有兴趣。potential problem/danger/threat etc a potential threat to international peace 对国际和平的潜在威胁 —potentially adv : a potentially dangerous situation 有潜在危险的形势
potential2n 1 [singular 单数, U] the possibility that something will develop in a particular way or do something〔事物的〕潜力﹐可能性: +for There is still considerable potential for development. 仍有相当大的发展潜力。+of the potential of the Internet to create jobs 因特网创造就业机会的潜力2 [U] abilities or qualities that may make someone or something very successful in the future〔人的〕潜力﹐潜能: +as She was told she had great potential as a singer. 有人告诉她﹐她当歌手有很大的潜力。achieve/realize your (full) potential (=become as successful as you can) (充分)发挥你的潜能: She wanted to achieve her full potential in her new job. 她想在新工作中充分发挥潜能。