Is Powerful an Adjective?

Yes, “powerful” is an adjective that is used to describe nouns or pronouns that possess great power, force, influence, or effect. The word “powerful” can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

Grammatical Specification of “Powerful” as an Adjective

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈpaʊəfl/ or /ˈpaʊərfl/ (Oxford Learners Dictionaries)

Definitions

1. Having the ability to control or influence people or things (Britannica Dictionary)
2. Example: “The country is becoming more and more powerful.” (Merriam-Webster)
3. Having a strong effect on someone or something (Britannica Dictionary)
4. Example: “Powerful drugs that attack cancer cells.” (Merriam-Webster)
5. Having or producing a lot of physical strength or force (Britannica Dictionary)
6. Example: “The perfume has a powerful smell.” (Britannica Dictionary)
7. Capable of doing many things in a fast and efficient way (Britannica Dictionary)
8. Example: “She has a powerful voice.” (Merriam-Webster)
9. Example: “The aardvark uses its powerful claws to dig for food.” (Britannica Dictionary)

Synonyms of “Powerful” as an Adjective

According to the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, some synonyms of “powerful” as an adjective include:

Synonym	Definition
Influential	Having great influence or effect
Significant	Having or expressing a meaning; important
Strong	Having or exerting great physical, mental, or moral power
Important	Deserving or requiring serious attention; consequential
Potent	Powerful in effect or influence; forceful
Mighty	Possessing great and impressive power or strength
Prominent	Widely and popularly known; conspicuous
Heavy-duty	Designed for heavy or demanding use

Usage of “Powerful” as an Adjective

The adjective “powerful” can be used in a variety of contexts to describe nouns or pronouns that possess great power, force, influence, or effect. Here are some examples:

1. Political and Social Power
2. “The country is becoming more and more powerful on the global stage.”

3. “The powerful political lobby was able to sway the legislation.”

4. Physical Strength and Force

5. “The athlete has a powerful physique that allows them to dominate their sport.”

6. “The powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction.”

7. Technological and Scientific Capabilities

8. “The new supercomputer is a powerful tool for scientific research.”

9. “Powerful lasers are used in various industrial and medical applications.”

10. Emotional and Psychological Impact

11. “The powerful speech moved the audience to tears.”

12. “The powerful scent of the perfume lingered in the air.”

13. Descriptive Adjective for Nouns

14. “The powerful CEO made a decisive decision that impacted the company.”
15. “The powerful storm system brought heavy rain and high winds to the region.”

Conclusion

In summary, “powerful” is a versatile adjective that can be used to describe a wide range of nouns and pronouns that possess great power, force, influence, or effect. Its usage can span various domains, including political, social, physical, technological, emotional, and psychological contexts. Understanding the nuances of this adjective and its different definitions can help writers and speakers effectively convey the intended meaning and impact of their words.

References

1. Britannica Dictionary. (n.d.). Powerful Definition & Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/powerful
2. Dictionary.com. (n.d.). POWERFUL Definition & Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/powerful
3. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Powerful Definition & Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powerful
4. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). POWERFUL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerful
5. Oxford Learners Dictionaries. (n.d.). powerful adjective – Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/powerful