A 潜在的，有可能的that may happen or become so, although not actually existing at present

　～ demand　潜在的需求
　～ resources　潜在的资词/cn>
　～ sales　可能的销售量
　～ wealth　潜在的财富

　The new tax law has scared away potential investors.　新的税法吓跑了可能的投资者。
　It's important to draw out a child's potential capacities.　发掘孩子的潜在能力是很重要的。

1. U 潜力，潜势，可能性　(the degree of) possibility for developing or being favorably developed
2. U 〈物理〉电位，电势　energy of an electric charge express in volts

　develop one's ～　发挥潜力
　have ～　有潜力
　realize sb's ～　认识某人的潜力
　tap the ～　挖掘潜力
　considerable〔great, immense〕 ～　相当大〔巨大〕的潜力
　electric ～　电位〔势〕
　industrial〔military〕 ～　工业〔军事〕潜力
　～ difference　位差，势差
　～ energy　位能，势能
　～ for　在…方面的潜力

　This new invention has an enormous sales potential.　这项新发明有巨大的销售潜力。
　She has great musical potential.　她很有音乐家的潜质。
　She recognized the potential for error in the method being used.　她意识到在所采用的方法中可能出错。

　［同义词］ adj. concealed, future, hidden, latent n. ability, capability, possibility
　［反义词］ adj. actual, real
　［词源］拉丁语potencial（能，动力）