latent
/ˈleɪ.tənt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Present but not yet active, obvious, or fully developed. Something latent exists quietly and may appear later.
- The disease can stay latent for years.
- She has latent talent for music.
- There was a latent risk in the plan.
Adinary Nuance
Latent is close to hidden, dormant, and potential, but it is more formal and often used in academic, medical, or technical writing. Hidden means not easy to see; dormant means inactive for now; latent often suggests something is there but not yet showing itself. Writers choose latent when they want to stress unseen possibility or risk.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tiềm ẩn
- Spanish
- latente
- Chinese
- 潜在的
- Japanese
- 潜在的な
- Korean
- 잠재적인
Etymology
Latent comes from Latin latentem, meaning “lying hidden,” from latere, “to be hidden.” It entered English through French and has been used since the 15th century.
Common phrases
latent talentlatent diseaselatent risklatent ability
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is latent a formal word?
- Yes. It is more formal than hidden and common in academic or medical English.
- What is the difference between latent and dormant?
- Latent means present but not yet visible or active. Dormant means inactive or sleeping for a period.
- Can I use latent for people?
- Yes, especially for talent, ability, or feelings that are not yet obvious.
- Is latent used in IELTS Writing?
- Yes. It fits formal writing well, especially for science, education, and analysis.