Potential

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Word, where we talk about words you hear in the news.

This word is about something that might happen.

Listen to hear it two times

Potential.

A potential refugee crisis is brewing amid shortages of fuel and medicine elsewhere in the country.

President Obama says the situation could spread more broadly in the Middle East, but continues to limit the scope of potential U.S. involvement.

Potential is a word that means something could happen.

There is the possibility that all the pieces are there for it to happen.

The reporter said it is possible that a refugee crisis could develop in Iraq.

Now, the next time you hear potential, you will know what this news word means!