Potential vs. Possible — What's the Difference?

Capable of developing into something in the future.

Capable of being done or achieved.

Possessing latent qualities or abilities.

Within the realm of what can happen or exist.

Referring to the possibility that something might happen in the future.

Not ruled out as a consideration or option.

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.

That may exist or happen, but is not certain.

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

Capable of happening, existing, or being true without contradicting proven facts, laws, or circumstances

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

Capable of becoming or of being made to be so; potential

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

Capable of occurring or being done in accordance with something specified. Used with the superlative

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions

Capable of happening but of uncertain likelihood

See electric potential.

Permissible

See gravitational potential.

Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.

See magnetic potential.

(comparable) Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.

(Grammar) A potential verb form.

Being considered, e.g. for a position.

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

Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

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

A possible one.

(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 possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.

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

(rare) A particular event that may happen.

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Capable of existing or occurring, or of being conceived or thought of; able to happen; capable of being done; not contrary to the nature of things; - sometimes used to express extreme improbability; barely able to be, or to come to pass; as, possibly he is honest, as it is possible that Judas meant no wrong.

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

Something that can be done;

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

An applicant who might be suitable

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

Capable of happening or existing;

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

Existing in possibility;

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

Possible to conceive or imagine;

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Permissible or allowable under conditions.

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;

Indicating possibility of future success or effectiveness.

The inherent capacity for growth or improvement.

Indicates that something can happen or exist.

Often subjective, but can be gauged through indicators of ability or talent.

Yes, if something is possible, it means it can realistically occur or exist.

Yes, it can refer to negative capabilities or outcomes (e.g., potential risks).

Potential is about future capabilities, while possible is about current feasibility.

No, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts.

Refers to the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.

Not necessarily, as potential focuses on future development, not current possibility.

No, possible simply means something could happen, good or bad.

Often, but it can also refer to situations or objects with future possibilities.

Yes, potential can increase or decrease based on development and circumstances.

Often to describe the growth or future success of individuals or initiatives.

While not typically described in degrees, some scenarios can be more possible than others based on likelihood.

Yes, as circumstances change, what was once impossible can become possible.

Yes, if it can happen currently but has no future development aspect.