latent Definition
- 1existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden; concealed
- 2of a quality or state, dormant, but potentially able to be expressed or activated
Using latent: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "latent" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The disease can remain latent in the body for years before symptoms appear.
Example
He has a latent talent for music that he has never explored.
Example
The latent heat of fusion is the amount of energy required to change a solid into a liquid without changing its temperature.
latent Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with latent
Example
The latent period of COVID-19 can range from 2 to 14 days.
Example
The latent image on the film was developed into a visible photograph.
a fingerprint that is not visible to the naked eye and requires special techniques to be made visible
Example
The detective used a special powder to reveal the latent fingerprints on the glass.
Origins of latent
from Latin 'latere', meaning 'to lie hidden'
Summary: latent in Brief
The term 'latent' [ˈleɪtnt] refers to something that exists but is not yet developed or manifest, or is hidden or concealed. It can describe qualities or states that are dormant but potentially able to be expressed or activated, as in 'He has a latent talent for music.' 'Latent' also extends to scientific contexts, such as 'latent heat of fusion,' which refers to the energy required to change a solid into a liquid without changing its temperature.