Potential vs. Possibility — What's the Difference?

Inherent ability awaiting development.

A condition that might occur.

Capability of becoming more.

Potential occurrence.

Latent qualities for growth.

Future event uncertainty.

Capacity for advancement.

Scope for something to happen.

Future achievement possibility.

Chance of something happening.

Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple release of energy by objects to the realization of abilities in people.

A thing that may happen or be the case

Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped

The fact or state of being possible

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

Something that is possible

The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success

One that is capable of being chosen or of being made real

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions

Possibilities Potentiality for favorable or interesting results

See electric potential.

The quality of being possible.

See gravitational potential.

A thing possible; that which may take place or come into being.

See magnetic potential.

An option or choice, usually used in context with future events.

(Grammar) A potential verb form.

(obsolete) Capability, power or capacity to act.

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

The quality or state of being possible; the power of happening, being, or existing.

(physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.

That which is possible; a contingency; a thing or event that may not happen; a contingent interest, as in real or personal estate.

(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.

A future prospect or potential;

(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

Capability of existing or happening or being true;

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

A tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena;

(archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result

A possible alternative;

(physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.

In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; - also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

The inherent capacity for coming into being

The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts

Existing in possibility;

Expected to become or be; in prospect;

While potential often implies positive outcomes, it fundamentally relates to the capacity for any significant change or achievement, not exclusively positive.

No, for potential to be realized, there must be at least some possibility, though it might vary in probability.

Yes, they can overlap when discussing the chances of realizing one's potential, where the potential is the capacity for achievement and the possibility is the chance of that achievement happening.

Realizing potential usually requires effort and development, while possibility does not inherently depend on effort.

Potential usually has a positive connotation, focusing on improvement or growth, while possibility is neutral, indicating uncertainty.

No, they are distinct but can intersect; potential focuses on inherent capabilities, whereas possibility refers to the chance of various outcomes.

Factors include effort, conditions, opportunities, and sometimes external support or resources.

Potential refers to the inherent abilities or qualities that allow for future growth, improvement, or achievement.

Possibility denotes the chance or condition that something might happen or come into existence.

Potential can be assessed based on known qualities or capabilities, whereas possibility is often gauged by likelihood or probability.

Potential is identified through evaluation of inherent abilities, talents, or conditions conducive to future success or growth.

Potential is typically used in contexts involving growth or improvement, while possibility is used in broader contexts of uncertain future events or conditions.

Yes, possibilities can exist independently of potential, as they relate to any uncertain future event or condition.

While both relate to future events, possibility is more about the chance of occurrence, whereas probability quantifies that chance.

Potential suggests a likely or possible outcome based on inherent qualities but does not guarantee it.