Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having great strength, force, or energy: Describes something or someone that can produce a great physical effect.
   • Having great influence, authority, or control: Describes a person, group, or thing that can affect people or events significantly.
   • Having a strong effect on the mind or senses: Describes something that is very intense or effective.

2. Adverb:

   • (Chiefly Southern US, informal) Very; to a great degree: Used for emphasis.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The powerful engine accelerated the car quickly. (Describing great physical force)
  • She is a powerful leader who inspires her team. (Describing great influence or authority)
  • The documentary made a powerful argument for conservation. (Describing a strong mental or emotional effect)
  • He has a powerful build from years of training. (Describing physical strength)

• Adverb:

  • It was a powerful hot day. (Meaning: It was a very hot day.)
  • He's powerful tired after the long trip. (Meaning: He is very tired.)

Advanced Usage

• "Powerful enough to": Used to indicate that the strength or capability is sufficient for a specific purpose.
  • Is this software powerful enough to handle video editing?
• In formal or technical contexts (e.g., physics, politics), "powerful" is used precisely to describe magnitude of force, energy, or influence.
  • A powerful magnetic field.
  • A powerful lobbying group.

Variants and Related Words

• Powerfully (adverb): In a powerful manner.
  • He argued his case powerfully.
• Power (noun): The capacity or ability to do something; strength, force, or control.
  • The power of the storm was frightening.
• Powerless (adjective): Without power, strength, or authority.
  • She felt powerless to change the situation.

Synonyms

• Strong: Having the power to move heavy weights or perform physically demanding tasks.
• Potent: Having great power, influence, or effect (often used for drugs, arguments, or drinks).
• Mighty: Possessing great and impressive power or strength (can be more literary).
• Forceful: Characterized by force; vigorous and strong.

Antonyms

• Weak: Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking force.
• Powerless: Lacking strength, power, or authority.
• Ineffective: Not producing any or the desired effect.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A powerful lot of (informal, regional): A very large amount of.
  • That's a powerful lot of money.
• Knowledge is power: (Idiom) The more knowledge one has, the greater one's ability to control events. While it uses the noun "power," it relates to the concept of being powerful.

Adjective

1. displaying superhuman strength or power
   • herculean exertions
2. (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
   • a hefty athlete
   • a muscular boxer
   • powerful arms
3. having great influence
4. strong enough to knock down or overwhelm
   • a knock-down blow
5. having great power or force or potency or effect
   • the most powerful government in western Europe
   • his powerful arms
   • a powerful bomb
   • the horse's powerful kick
   • powerful drugs
   • a powerful argument

Adverb

1. (Southern regional intensive) very; to a great degree
   • the baby is mighty cute
   • he's mighty tired
   • it is powerful humid
   • that boy is powerful big now
   • they have a right nice place
   • they rejoiced mightily