: present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic
a latent infection
latently
adverb
: a fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime) that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study
called also latent fingerprint, latent print
Synonyms
Examples of latent in a Sentence
Adjective
On the ground in Afghanistan there is some latent, if wary, gratitude for American aid over the years, but no one expects to build a foundation for the Taliban's downfall on a couple of million rice cakes.
—
Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001
There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed.
—Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910
Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet
Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001
There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed.
—Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910
Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet
Recent Examples on the WebMelody Schreiber, NPR, 2 May 2024
There are several types of diabetes mellitus, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and monogenic diabetes.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latent 
Adjective
The 10-week clinic, which cost about $2 million in U.S. dollars to run, discovered 6 active and 55 latent cases this way.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 2 May 2024
There are several types of diabetes mellitus, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and monogenic diabetes.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'latent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near latent
Cite this Entry
“Latent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latent. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
latent
adjective
la·tent
ˈlāt-ᵊnt 
: existing in hidden or dormant form: as
a
: present or capable of living or developing in a host without producing visible symptoms of disease
a latent virus
a latent infection
b
: not consciously expressed
latent anxiety
c
: relating to or being the latent content of a dream or thought
latently
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share