potent
gb/pˈoʊtənt/ us/pˈoʊtənt/
B2
Inglês
~ 7500
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
property
1
having strong power or effect
Very powerful or effective and able to cause a big change or result.
Padrão de uso:
a potent [noun]; [something] is potent
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
weak (Lacking strength or power to have much effect.)
|
ineffective (Failing to achieve the desired result or change.)
Colocações
potent symbol
|potent force
|potent argument
|potent influence
|potent weapon
|potent tool
Temas
general
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
|work
Exemplos
- It was a potent speech that moved many voters to change their minds.
- Social media has become a potent tool for organizing protests.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This is a potent message that can change people.
- Music is a potent way to share feelings.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
very strong drug or substance
Very strong and having a big effect on the body, even in a small amount.
Padrão de uso:
potent [drug/medicine/chemical/drink]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
strong (Very common and general; may sound less technical or precise than "potent.")
|
powerful (Emphasizes intensity of effect, often used with medicines and drugs.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
potent drug
|potent medicine
|potent chemical
|potent cocktail
|potent poison
|potent antibiotic
Temas
health
|science
|food
Exemplos
- This is a very potent drug, so it must be given in small doses.
- The cleaner is so potent that you should wear gloves when using it.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This painkiller is very potent, so do not take two.
- The perfume is too potent for a small room.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
3
having a strong smell or taste
Having a very strong smell or taste that you notice immediately, sometimes unpleasant.
Padrão de uso:
potent [smell/odor/aroma/taste]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
potent smell
|potent odor
|potent aroma
|potent scent
|potent taste
Temas
senses
|food
|environment
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- A potent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
- The cheese has a potent aroma that some people find too strong.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The trash had a potent smell.
- This cheese has a very potent taste.
- 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.
adjective
C1
property
4
sexually capable (of a man)
Able to have sex in a normal way and make children (about a man or male animal).
Padrão de uso:
[someone] is (sexually) potent
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
virile (More literary; suggests strong sexual energy and ability to father children.)
Antónimos
impotent (Specifically means unable to have an erection or to have sex in a normal way.)
Colocações
sexually potent
|remain potent
|become less potent
|a potent male
|no longer potent
Temas
health
|body
|relationships
Exemplos
- The treatment helped him remain sexually potent into old age.
- The study found that most males were still potent after the operation.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The doctor said he is still potent.
- Some men fear becoming less potent when they are older.
- 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.
adjective
literary
C1
property
5
having magical or mysterious power
Having strong magic or special power that people cannot explain.
Padrão de uso:
a potent [spell/charm/ritual/curse]
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
harmless (Suggests that a spell or curse has no bad effect despite claims.)
|
powerless (Lacking any real power or ability to cause change.)
Colocações
potent spell
|potent magic
|potent charm
|potent ritual
|potent curse
Temas
literature
|religion
|mythology
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- According to legend, the amulet is a potent charm against evil spirits.
- The witch muttered a potent spell under her breath.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The wizard used a very potent spell.
- People said the ring was a potent magic charm.
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
potent
IPA
GB/pˈoʊtənt/
US/pˈoʊtənt/
Sílabas e acento
po - tent (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (po)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: potent
Família de palavras
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
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.