potent
gb/pˈoʊtənt/ us/pˈoʊtənt/
B2
English
~ 7500
erőteljes, hatékony, nagy hatású, erős, erős hatású, átható, potens, nagy erejű, varázserejű
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a potent [noun]; [something] is potent
It was a potent speech that moved many voters to change their minds.
Nagy hatású beszéd volt, amely sok választót arra késztetett, hogy megváltoztassa a véleményét.
Social media has become a potent tool for organizing protests.
A közösségi média hatékony eszközzé vált a tüntetések szervezésében.
Fear can be a potent motivator in the workplace.
The film is a potent reminder of the cost of war.
Her words were more potent than any physical threat.
Learner examples
This is a potent message that can change people.
Ez olyan erőteljes üzenet, amely meg tudja változtatni az emberek gondolkodását.
Music is a potent way to share feelings.
A zene erőteljes eszköz az érzések megosztására.
The new law is a potent weapon against crime.
Hope is a potent force in hard times.
That video was a potent influence on young people.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "potent" with "potential." "Potent" means something is already powerful or effective now, while "potential" means it could become powerful in the future. Another mistake is using "potent" for physical strength of a person (e.g. *a potent man* to mean *a strong man*); in this sense, "strong" or "powerful" is more natural.
Meaning
having strong power or effect
Collocations
potent symbol
|potent force
|potent argument
|potent influence
|potent weapon
|potent tool
Synonyms
powerful (Very close in meaning; slightly more general and more common in everyday speech.)
|
effective (Focuses more on actually achieving the result, not necessarily on strength or intensity.)
|
influential (Highlights the ability to change people’s opinions or behavior rather than raw strength.)
Antonyms
weak (Lacking strength or power to have much effect.)
|
ineffective (Failing to achieve the desired result or change.)
Themes
general
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
Very powerful or effective and able to cause a big change or result.
Having great power, influence, or effectiveness in producing a desired result.
B2
2
erős
A1
erős hatású
B1
Usage pattern:
potent [drug/medicine/chemical/drink]
This is a very potent drug, so it must be given in small doses.
Ez nagyon erős gyógyszer, ezért csak kis adagokban szabad adni.
The cleaner is so potent that you should wear gloves when using it.
A tisztítószer olyan erős hatású, hogy használat közben kesztyűt kell viselni.
Be careful with that cocktail; it’s surprisingly potent.
The scientists developed a more potent form of the vaccine.
Even a tiny amount of this potent poison can be fatal.
Learner examples
This painkiller is very potent, so do not take two.
Ez a fájdalomcsillapító nagyon erős, ezért ne vegyél be kettőt.
The perfume is too potent for a small room.
A parfüm túl erős egy kis szobához.
He mixed a very potent drink at the party.
The new medicine is more potent than the old one.
The gas was so potent that people felt sick at once.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "potent" with any food or drink that tastes strong (like coffee or tea). In this sense, "potent" is more about strong physical or chemical effect (on the body or materials), not just strong flavor. "Strong coffee" is more natural than "potent coffee" in most contexts.
Meaning
very strong drug or substance
Collocations
potent drug
|potent medicine
|potent chemical
|potent cocktail
|potent poison
|potent antibiotic
Synonyms
strong (Very common and general; may sound less technical or precise than "potent.")
|
powerful (Emphasizes intensity of effect, often used with medicines and drugs.)
Antonyms
mild (Describes a drug or drink that only has a gentle or light effect.)
|
weak (Indicates that a substance does not have much effect, even in larger amounts.)
Themes
health
|science
|food
Definition
Very strong and having a big effect on the body, even in a small amount.
Describing a drug, chemical, or alcoholic drink that has a very strong physical effect, often in small quantities.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
potent [smell/odor/aroma/taste]
A potent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
Erős fokhagymaszag töltötte be a konyhát.
The cheese has a potent aroma that some people find too strong.
A sajtnak átható aromája van, amelyet egyesek túl erősnek találnak.
There was a potent odor of chemicals in the lab.
The curry has a potent taste that stays in your mouth for hours.
We followed the potent scent of smoke to the fire.
Learner examples
The trash had a potent smell.
A szemétnek erős szaga volt.
This cheese has a very potent taste.
Ennek a sajtnak nagyon erős íze van.
A potent odor came from the old fridge.
Her perfume was so potent that my head hurt.
The potent smell of fish filled the market.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "potent" for any nice smell. It usually suggests something very strong and often too much or slightly unpleasant. For a pleasant smell, "strong" or "rich" is often better.
Meaning
having a strong smell or taste
Collocations
potent smell
|potent odor
|potent aroma
|potent scent
|potent taste
Synonyms
strong (The most common everyday word for a very noticeable smell or taste.)
|
pungent (Often suggests a sharp, biting, or irritating smell, especially with foods or chemicals.)
Antonyms
faint (Describes a smell or taste that is weak and hard to notice.)
|
subtle (Indicates a gentle, delicate smell or taste, the opposite of overpowering.)
Themes
senses
|food
|environment
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having a very strong smell or taste that you notice immediately, sometimes unpleasant.
Describing a smell or taste that is very strong and easily noticed, often in an unpleasant or overwhelming way.
C1
4
potens
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is (sexually) potent
The treatment helped him remain sexually potent into old age.
A kezelés segített neki abban, hogy idős korában is szexuálisan potens maradjon.
The study found that most males were still potent after the operation.
A vizsgálat kimutatta, hogy a hímek többsége a műtét után is potens maradt.
He worries that stress may be affecting how potent he is.
The drug can temporarily make a man less potent.
Some cultures place a high value on being seen as potent and fertile.
Learner examples
The doctor said he is still potent.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy még mindig potens.
Some men fear becoming less potent when they are older.
Egyes férfiak félnek attól, hogy idősebb korukban kevésbé lesznek potensek.
He took the medicine to stay sexually potent.
The male animal is very potent and has many babies.
After the surgery, he was afraid he would not be potent.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is specifically about sexual ability of a male. Using it for general physical strength (e.g. *a potent man* to mean *a strong man*) is confusing or sounds wrong. Use "strong" or "physically fit" for general strength.
Meaning
sexually capable (of a man)
Collocations
sexually potent
|remain potent
|become less potent
|a potent male
|no longer potent
Synonyms
virile (More literary; suggests strong sexual energy and ability to father children.)
Antonyms
impotent (Specifically means unable to have an erection or to have sex in a normal way.)
Themes
health
|body
|relationships
Definition
Able to have sex in a normal way and make children (about a man or male animal).
Of a man or male animal, physically able to have erections and to father children.
C1
LITERARY
5
nagy erejű
B2
varázserejű
C1
Usage pattern:
a potent [spell/charm/ritual/curse]
According to legend, the amulet is a potent charm against evil spirits.
A legenda szerint az amulett nagy erejű védőtalizmán a gonosz szellemek ellen.
The witch muttered a potent spell under her breath.
A boszorkány egy nagy erejű varázsigét mormolt az orra alatt.
They believed the waterfall was a potent sacred place.
In the story, a potent curse falls on anyone who enters the cave.
He drank a potion said to be a potent form of ancient magic.
Learner examples
The wizard used a very potent spell.
A varázsló nagy erejű varázslatot használt.
People said the ring was a potent magic charm.
Azt mondták, hogy a gyűrű nagy erejű mágikus talizmán volt.
In the movie, a potent curse turns the hero into a wolf.
They prayed at a potent holy place.
She makes a potent love potion in the story.
Meaning
having magical or mysterious power
Collocations
potent spell
|potent magic
|potent charm
|potent ritual
|potent curse
Synonyms
powerful (General word; in fantasy or religious contexts it can mean having strong magical power.)
|
magical (Directly states that something works by magic rather than normal force.)
Antonyms
harmless (Suggests that a spell or curse has no bad effect despite claims.)
|
powerless (Lacking any real power or ability to cause change.)
Themes
literature
|religion
|mythology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having strong magic or special power that people cannot explain.
Having or believed to have strong magical, spiritual, or mysterious power.
Grammar
Dictionary form
potent
IPA
GB/pˈoʊtənt/
US/pˈoʊtənt/
Syllables & stress
po - tent (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (po)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: potent
Word family
Core family
potency
noun
potently
adverb
Related words
potential
adjective B1
potentially
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
potentiality
noun
potentiate
verb
potentiation
noun
Expressions
a potent cocktail
1/ə pˈoʊtənt kˈɑktˌeɪl/
fixed phrase
very strong drink or mixture
A drink or mixture that has a very strong effect, either because of alcohol or because of the things it combines.
Examples
- Careful, that’s a potent cocktail; drink it slowly.
- The crisis was caused by a potent cocktail of bad loans and weak regulation.
- He took a potent cocktail of drugs by accident and had to go to hospital.
a potent combination
1/ə pˈoʊtənt kˌɑmbənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
very effective combination of things
Two or more things together that are very powerful or effective.
Examples
- Talent and hard work are a potent combination.
- The drug is a potent combination of two older medicines.
- Noise and bright lights can be a potent combination for causing headaches.
a potent force
1/ə pˈoʊtənt fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
very powerful influence or factor
A very strong influence or power that can change what happens.
Examples
- Social media is a potent force in modern politics.
- Love can be a potent force for change.
- Technology has become a potent force in education.
a potent mix
1/ə pˈoʊtənt mˈɪks/
fixed phrase
combination with very strong effect
A combination of things that together create a very strong result or feeling.
Examples
- The film uses a potent mix of music and images to tell its story.
- Fear and anger can be a potent mix in politics.
- The company’s potent mix of low prices and good service attracts many customers.
a potent reminder
1/ə pˈoʊtənt ɹimˈaɪndɚ/
fixed phrase
very strong and emotional reminder
Something that makes you remember an important idea or fact in a strong and emotional way.
Examples
- The empty chair at the table was a potent reminder of his absence.
- The images on the news are a potent reminder that the war is not over.
- Her success is a potent reminder that hard work can pay off.
a potent symbol
1/ə pˈoʊtənt sˈɪmbəl/
fixed phrase
very powerful or meaningful symbol
Something that strongly represents an idea or feeling and makes people think or feel in a big way.
Examples
- The burned-out car became a potent symbol of the city’s violence.
- The flag is a potent symbol of national pride.
- Her story is a potent symbol of hope for many young people.