English Explanatory Dictionary

maybe

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. Perhaps, possibly.
  2. Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).
  3. Certainly.
adj
  1. Possible; uncertain.
noun
  1. Something that is possibly true.
  2. An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.
  3. A future event that may or may not happen.

Pronunciation

mā'bē /ˈmeɪ.bi/ [ˈmeɪ̯.bi] En-uk-maybe.ogg en-us-maybe.ogg /mɛˈbiː/ /ˈmæɪ.bi/ [ˈmæɪ̯.bi]

Word forms

maybe mebbe may-be more maybe most maybe maybes

Etymology

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

Synonyms

mayhaps peradventure perhaps possibly could be might be that’s possible

Derived words

and I don't mean maybe maybe baby bias maybe baby effect maybeish maybeness maybeso maybe type definite maybe
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