English

Alternative forms

• may-be (obsolete)
• mebbe (dialectal)

Adverb

maybe ‎(not comparable)

1. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty.
2. (as a pro-sentence) perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement)

Usage notes

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

Synonyms

• (perhaps): mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly
• (as a pro-sentence): could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possible

Derived terms

• and I don't mean maybe

Translations

Adjective

maybe ‎(comparative more maybe, superlative most maybe)

1. Possible; uncertain.

   Then add those may-be years thou hast to live ― Dryden.

Noun

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.

Synonyms

• perhaps

Derived terms

• definite maybe

Anagrams

• abyme, beamy, embay