See also: may be

EnglishEdit

 
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Alternative formsEdit

EtymologyEdit

From an ellipsis of it may be, equivalent to may +‎ be. Compare mayhap.

PronunciationEdit

  • (UK, US) enPR: mā'bē, IPA(key): /ˈmeɪbi/, [ˈmeɪ̯bi]
  • (file)
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪbi

AdverbEdit

maybe (not comparable)

  1. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty: it may be (that)...
    Maybe I was imagining it, but I could swear that the dog understood what I was saying.
  2. (as a pro-sentence) Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).
  3. (UK, meiosis) Certainly.
    Maybe not the best idea.

Usage notesEdit

  • Do not confuse maybe with the verb construction may be: "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true".

SynonymsEdit

Derived termsEdit

TranslationsEdit

AdjectiveEdit

maybe (comparative more maybe, superlative most maybe)

  1. Possible; uncertain.

NounEdit

maybe (plural maybes)

  1. (informal) Something that is possibly true.
  2. (informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.
    The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes.
  3. (informal) A future event that may or may not happen.
    About your raise: it's a big maybe.

SynonymsEdit

Derived termsEdit

AnagramsEdit