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potente

powerful

adjective poh-TEN-teh Less Common

Origin: Latin potens (being able, powerful)

Also means

mighty

Usage Note

Potente is invariable for gender but pluralises as potenti. It describes power of people, machines, or drugs: un motore potente (a powerful engine), un farmaco potente (a potent medicine). Do not confuse with possibile (possible) or capace (capable) — potente is specifically about strength or force, not ability.

Examples

"Questo motore è molto più potente del vecchio."

Natural Translation

This engine is much more powerful than the old one.

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