Potency is the power and influence that a person, action, or idea has to affect or change people's lives, feelings, or beliefs.
They testify to the extraordinary potency of his personality. [+ of]
All their songs have a lingering potency.
Synonyms: influence, might, force, control More Synonyms of potency
2. uncountable noun [usually with poss]
The potency of a drug, poison, or other chemical is its strength.
Sunscreen can lose its potency if left over winter in the bathroom cabinet.
3. uncountable noun
Potency is the physical ability of a man to have sex.
Illness can cause loss of sex drive and reduced potency.
More Synonyms of potency
potency in British English
(ˈpəʊtənsɪ) or potence
nounWord forms: plural-tencies or -tences
1.
the state or quality of being potent
2.
latent or inherent capacity for growth or development
Word origin
C16: from Latin potentia power, from posse to be able
potency in American English
(ˈpoʊtənsi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈpotencies
1.
the state or quality of being potent, or the degree of this; power; strength
2.
capacity for development; potentiality
ˈpotence
SIMILAR WORDS: strength
Also, esp. for potency (sense 1)
Word origin
L potentia
potency in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(poutənsi)
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Physiology)
The potency of a drug is a measurement of how much of it is needed to produce a particular effect.
The potency of a drug substance is typically reported as a percentage value (e.g. 98.0%), whereasthat of a drug product is reported in terms of its intended concentration.
Drugs of higher potency can be administered at lower doses.
The potency of a drug is a measurement of how much of it is needed to produce a particular effect.
Examples of 'potency' in a sentence
potency
Its numbers reduce but their potency is increased.
The Sun (2007)
Such a move would only reduce its potency and surprise element.
Leo McKinstry Sir Alf: A Major Reappraisal of the Life and Times of England's Greatest FootballManager (2006)
They add a potency to your strength and show others you have all the qualities of a great leader.
The Sun (2015)
And given its political potency, that can only mean one thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Well, blow me down with the realisation once again of the potency of cheap music.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We expect verve and endeavour, to win or lose with potency.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Prepare just before using, as they lose their potency when cut.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Online retailers lose their potency if they don't have much to sell.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Once cut, they lose their potency.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
The aim is to reduce its potency, from fatal disease to chronic illness.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In that era this had a particular political potency, as ownership of property was tied to the right to vote.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If you are hearing the same voice all the time, it loses its potency, it loses its edge.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
potency
British English: potency NOUN
Potency is the power and influence that a person, action, or idea has to affect or change people's lives, feelings, or beliefs.
...the extraordinary potency of his personality.
American English: potency
Brazilian Portuguese: potência
Chinese: 影响力
European Spanish: potencia
French: force
German: Stärke
Italian: forza
Japanese: 力
Korean: 힘
European Portuguese: potência
Latin American Spanish: potencia
1 (noun)
the extraordinary potency of his personality
Synonyms
influence
As we grew older, I had less influence and couldn't control him.
might
The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
force
control
authority
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
energy
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
potential
strength
capacity
mana (New Zealand)
a leader of great mana and influence
2 (noun)
Her remarks have added potency given the current situation.
Synonyms
persuasiveness
force
strength
He threw it forward with all his strength.
muscle
The team showed more muscle than mental application.
effectiveness
sway
forcefulness
cogency
impressiveness
3 (noun)
The potency of the flavours increases with time.
Synonyms
power
the power of his rhetoric
force
He changed our world through the force of his ideas.
strength
maximum-strength migraine tablets
effectiveness
the effectiveness of computers as an educational tool
efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
4 (noun)
sexual potency
Synonyms
vigour
puissance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authority
Definition
the power to command, control, or judge others
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
Synonyms
prerogative,
right,
influence,
might,
force,
power,
control,
charge,
rule,
government,
weight,
strength,
direction,
command,
licence,
privilege,
warrant,
say-so,
sway,
domination,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of cogency
Synonyms
conviction,
force,
power,
strength,
potency
in the sense of effectiveness
the effectiveness of computers as an educational tool
Synonyms
power,
effect,
efficiency,
success,
strength,
capability,
use,
validity,
usefulness,
potency,
efficacy,
fruitfulness,
productiveness
Nearby words of
potency
pot belly
pot-bellied
potato
potency
potent
potentate
potential
Synonyms of 'potency'
potency
Explore 'potency' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
Synonyms
effectiveness,
efficiency,
power,
value,
success,
strength,
virtue,
vigour,
use,
usefulness,
potency,
fruitfulness,
productiveness,
efficaciousness
in the sense of energy
Definition
capacity for intense activity
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
Synonyms
strength,
might,
force,
power,
activity,
intensity,
stamina,
exertion,
forcefulness
in the sense of force
Definition
intellectual or moral influence
He changed our world through the force of his ideas.
Synonyms
influence,
power,
effect,
authority,
weight,
strength,
punch (informal),
significance,
effectiveness,
validity,
efficacy,
soundness,
persuasiveness,
cogency,
bite
in the sense of mana
Definition
authority, influence and prestige
a leader of great mana and influence
Synonyms
authority,
influence,
power,
might,
force,
weight,
strength,
domination,
sway,
standing,
status,
importance,
esteem,
stature,
eminence
in the sense of might
Definition
great power, strength, or vigour
The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
Synonyms
power,
force,
energy,
ability,
strength,
capacity,
efficiency,
capability,
sway,
clout (informal),
vigour,
prowess,
potency,
efficacy,
valour,
puissance,
hard power
in the sense of muscle
Definition
strength or force
The team showed more muscle than mental application.
Synonyms
strength,
might,
force,
power,
weight,
stamina,
potency,
brawn,
sturdiness
in the sense of strength
Definition
the state or quality of being physically or mentally strong
He threw it forward with all his strength.
Synonyms
might,
muscle,
brawn,
sinew,
brawniness
in the sense of strength
Definition
potency or effectiveness, such as of a drink or drug