[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/potency/)

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# potency

noun (potency, uncountable)

«potency» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. How strong or powerful something is, especially a medicine, drug, poison or chemical. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#m1)
2. (formal) Power or influence: the potency of an idea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science and health lessons: the potency of a medicine tells how strong its effect is, which is why doses must be measured carefully. In history or English, the «potency» of a speech or symbol means its power to move people.

### Examples

- The potency of the medicine means you only need a small dose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x1)
- Some medicines lose their potency after their expiry date. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x2)
- The snake's venom has great potency. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x3)
- The speech showed the potency of words. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x4)
- Scientists tested the potency of the new vaccine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x5)
- Strong sunlight can reduce the potency of vitamins. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. Adjective: potent. Safety: never take more of a medicine than the label or doctor says; a potent medicine can be dangerous in large amounts.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «potency» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/potency/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«potency» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/potency.html) on Mova free.