Words / C1

POHTNT/ˈpəʊtnt/

Potent means powerful and effective: a potent argument, a potent drug. Strong is everyday; potential (already in the dictionary) is “possible in the future” — a classic mix-up. Impotent is opposite. Do not call a vague vibe potent.

Meaning

Powerful and effective, or having a strong effect.

Examples

• “A potent reminder is a named date; a vibe is not.”
• “Strong is everyday. Effective is a cousin. Potential is unrealised capacity. A potentate is a ruler — a lookalike. Force in a sentence comes from a fact, not from adjectives piled on the slogan.”

Good to know

Strong in effect. Everyday: strong. Mix-up: potential (not yet real). A date beats a mood.

Near in meaning

effective

New