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Webster 1913 Edition


Maybe

May′be

,
adv.
[For
it may be
.]
Perhaps; possibly; peradventure.
Maybe
the amorous count solicits her.
Shakespeare
In a liberal and,
maybe
, somewhat reckless way.
Tylor.

May′be

,
Adj.
Possible; probable, but not sure.
[R.]
Then add those
maybe
years thou hast to live.
Driden.

May′be

,
Noun.
Possibility; uncertainty.
[R.]
What they offer is mere
maybe
and shift.
Creech.

Definition 2024


maybe

maybe

See also: may be

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

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

Derived terms

  • definite maybe

Anagrams