What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effective
Example
The medicine was effective in treating her illness. [effective: adjective]
Example
She used an effective teaching method to help her students learn. [effective: adjective]
potent
Example
The potent smell of the flowers filled the room. [potent: adjective]
Example
The doctor prescribed a potent painkiller for his patient. [potent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Effective is more common than potent in everyday language and can be used in a wide range of contexts. Potent is less common and is often limited to describing substances or medications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effective and potent?
Potent is generally considered more formal than effective and is often used in technical or scientific contexts.
