pot|ash /pɒ tæʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Potash is a white powder obtained from the ashes of burnt wood and is sometimes used as a fertilizer.
po|tas|sium /pətæ siəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Potassium is a soft silvery-white chemical element, which occurs mainly in compounds. These compounds are used in making such things as glass, soap, and fertilizers.
po|ta|to ◆◇◇ /pəte I toʊ/ (potatoes )
1 N‑VAR Potatoes are quite round vegetables with brown or red skins and white insides. They grow under the ground.
2 → see also sweet potato
3 PHRASE You can refer to a difficult subject that people disagree on as a hot potato . □ …a political hot potato such as abortion.
po|ta |to chip (potato chips )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato chips are very thin slices of potato that have been fried until they are hard, dry, and crisp. [AM ] in BRIT, use crisps 2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato chips are long, thin pieces of potato fried in oil or fat and eaten hot, usually with a meal. [BRIT ] in AM, use French fries
po|ta |to crisp (potato crisps ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato crisps are the same as crisps . [BRIT , FORMAL ]
po t-be llied also potbellied ADJ Someone, usually a man, who is pot-bellied has a pot belly.
po t be l|ly (pot bellies ) also potbelly N‑COUNT Someone who has a pot belly has a round, fat stomach which sticks out, either because they eat or drink too much, or because they have had very little to eat for some time.
pot|boiler /pɒ tbɔ I lə r / (potboilers ) also pot-boiler N‑COUNT If you describe a book or film as a potboiler , you mean that it has been created in order to earn money quickly and is of poor quality. [DISAPPROVAL ]
po|ten|cy /poʊ t ə nsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Potency is the power and influence that a person, action, or idea has to affect or change people's lives, feelings, or beliefs. □ [+ of ] They testify to the extraordinary potency of his personality.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu 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 N‑UNCOUNT Potency is the ability of a man to have sex. □ Illness can cause loss of sex drive and reduced potency.
po|tent /poʊ t ə nt/ ADJ Something that is potent is very effective and powerful. □ Their most potent weapon was the Exocet missile. □ The drug is extremely potent, but causes unpleasant side effects.
po|ten|tate /poʊ t ə nte I t/ (potentates ) N‑COUNT A potentate is a ruler who has complete power over his people. [FORMAL ]
po|ten|tial ◆◆◇ /pəte nʃ ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use potential to say that someone or something is capable of developing into the particular kind of person or thing mentioned. □ The firm has identified 60 potential customers at home and abroad. □ We are aware of the potential problems and have taken every precaution. ● po|ten|tial|ly ADV □ Clearly this is a potentially dangerous situation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has potential , you mean that they have the necessary abilities or qualities to become successful or useful in the future. □ The school strives to help each pupil to achieve their full potential. □ Denmark recognised the potential of wind energy early.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has potential for doing a particular thing, you mean that it is possible they may do it. If there is the potential for something, it may happen. □ [+ for ] John seemed as horrified as I about his potential for violence. □ The meeting has the potential to be a watershed event. SYNONYMS potential ADJ 1
possible: Her family is discussing a possible move to America.
future: Meanwhile, the domestic debate on the country's future role in Europe rages on.
likely: Experts say a 'yes' vote is still the likely outcome. NOUN 2
ability: Her drama teacher spotted her ability.
capacity: Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
capability: They have the capability to destroy the enemy in days rather than weeks.
po|ten|ti|al|ity /pəte nʃiæ l I ti/ (potentialities ) N‑VAR If something has potentialities or potentiality , it is capable of being used or developed in particular ways. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the breathtaking potentialities of mechanization. □ All of these are quite useful breeds whose potentiality has not been realised.
pot|hole /pɒ thoʊl/ (potholes ) also pot-hole
1 N‑COUNT A pothole is a large hole in the surface of a road, caused by traffic and bad weather.
2 N‑COUNT A pothole is a deep hole in the ground. Potholes often lead to underground caves and tunnels.
po t-holed also potholed ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pot-holed road has a lot of potholes in it.
pot|hol|ing /pɒ thoʊl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Potholing is the leisure activity of going into underground caves and tunnels. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use spelunking
po|tion /poʊ ʃ ə n/ (potions ) N‑COUNT A potion is a drink that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers.
po t lu ck → see pot
po t plant (pot plants ) N‑COUNT A pot plant is a plant which is grown in a container, especially indoors. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use house plant
pot|pour|ri /poʊ pʊə ri, [AM ] -pʊriː / (potpourris ) also pot-pourri , pot pourri