Potent
/ˈpəʊt(ə)nt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPowerful; possessing power; effective.
adjPowerful; possessing power; effective., Possessing authority or influence; persuasive, convincing.
Sentence Examples
His influence is still potent.
New Year shrine visit; which shrines are potent?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The medicine is very ____ and can cause side effects if taken incorrectly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The herbal remedy was surprisingly ____ and produced noticeable results within just a few days.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English potent, borrowed from Latin potens, potentis (“powerful, strong, potent”), present participle of posse (“to be able”), from potis (“able, powerful, originally a lord, master”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"harsh and potent injuries"
— 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]:
"Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence."
— 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter I (Anarchy), page 373, column 2:
"When the party reach the bridegroom's house on their return, his mother and the other women come out, and burn a little mustard and human hair in a lamp, the unpleasant smell emitted by these articles being considered potent to drive away evil spirits."
— 1906, James George Frazer, Adonis, Attis, Osiris, volume 2, page 261:
"Still today, 400 years on, they remain potent wounds indeed: “When I think of what Oñate did to the Acoma Pueblo,” said a member of Sandia Pueblo in 1998 during the fourth centennial of his conquest, “I have a vision of Indian men lined up to have one foot cut off.”"
— 2013 December 31, Roderick Campbell, Violence and Civilization: Studies of Social Violence in History and Prehistory, Oxbow Books, →ISBN:
"Moses once more his potent rod extends."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The medicine is very ____ and can cause side effects if taken incorrectly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The herbal remedy was surprisingly ____ and produced noticeable results within just a few days.