Potential vs. Probable — What's the Difference?

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.

Likely to happen or to be true

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

Likely but uncertain; plausible.

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

(Theology) Of or relating to opinions and actions in ethics and morals for whose lawfulness intrinsic reasons or extrinsic authority may be adduced.

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

Likely or most likely to be true.

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions

Likely to happen.

See electric potential.

Supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating.

See gravitational potential.

(obsolete) Capable of being proved.

See magnetic potential.

Something that is likely.

(Grammar) A potential verb form.

A person who is likely to appear or do a certain thing.

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

Capable of being proved.

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

Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.

(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.

Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption.

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

An applicant likely to be chosen

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Likely but not certain to be or become true or real;

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

Apparently destined;

(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;