Powerful means having great strength or great influence. A powerful engine, a powerful argument, one of the most powerful people in the country.
It works for physical force, for political influence and for emotional effect — a powerful film, a powerful smell. That third use is worth noting because it means strong rather than good: a powerful smell is usually a bad one. Note that powerful is not the adjective of power in every sense: an electrical power cut has nothing to do with being powerful. The adverb is powerfully, and empowered is a separate and much newer word.
1adjectivepowerfulHaving great physical strength or force.
“It is a powerful engine for a car that size.”
2adjectiveinfluenceHaving great influence or control.
“She is the most powerful person on the committee.”
3adjectivestrongHaving a strong effect on the feelings.
“It is a powerful film and not an easy one.”
Too few real examples of this word to estimate which sense is commonest.
powerful is a degree of strength or influence.
Also accepted in games: mighty
Middle English
pouerful
English, today
powerful
From Middle English pouerful, powarfull. by surface analysis, power + -ful.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA