maybe

maybe — adverb

1. used to express that something could happen or be true, though you lack full cer

1.adverbA1
Definition

used to express that something could happen or be true, though you lack full certainty about it

Example

Maybe my friend will come to my house after school today.

maybe + [clause] for possibility; sentence-initial position

Jisoo thinks maybe the bus is late this morning.

Synonyms
  • perhaps

    slightly more formal than 'maybe'; common in both writing and speech

  • possibly

    suggests a real but not certain chance; often used with 'could' or 'might'

Antonyms
  • certainly

    expresses complete confidence, the opposite of uncertainty

  • definitely

    states something as sure, with no doubt

Grammar Patterns

maybe + [clause]

maybe at start of sentence

Common Mistakes

Maybe he will comes late.
Maybe he will come late.
After 'maybe', the verb still follows normal subject-verb agreement with the subject of the clause.

2. placed before a quantity or figure to indicate that it is a rough estimate, not

2.adverbA2
Definition

placed before a quantity or figure to indicate that it is a rough estimate, not an exact value

Example

The bag costs maybe twenty dollars, but I am not sure.

maybe + [number] for approximation

There were maybe forty people at the school show last night.

Synonyms
  • approximately

    the formal equivalent; preferred in academic and business writing

  • roughly

    similar meaning but slightly less formal than 'approximately'

  • about

    the most common informal alternative; 'about ten minutes' vs 'maybe ten minutes'

Antonyms
  • exactly

    states a precise number with no approximation

Grammar Patterns

maybe + [number/amount]

Usage Note

Only this sense places 'maybe' directly before a number, quantity, or measurement. In formal academic writing, use 'approximately' instead.

Common Mistakes

The meeting is at maybe 3 PM.
The meeting is at around 3 PM.
'maybe' before a specific time sounds unnatural in this pattern; use 'around' or 'about' for times.

3. used at the start of a sentence to make a suggestion sound polite or less direct

3.adverbA2
Definition

used at the start of a sentence to make a suggestion sound polite or less direct, giving the other person room to refuse

Example

Maybe you could ask the teacher for help with your work.

maybe + you could / maybe + we should for polite suggestion

Maybe we should take a short break and get some water.

Synonyms
  • perhaps

    can be used the same way but sounds slightly more formal; 'Perhaps you could try...'

Grammar Patterns

Maybe + [subject] + [modal verb]...

Usage Note

Followed by a clause with a modal verb ('could', 'should', 'would', 'can') to soften the suggestion. The rising intonation at the end makes the suggestion sound more tentative.

4. used as a reply that avoids a direct 'yes' or 'no', often because you are unsure

4.adverbB1
Definition

used as a reply that avoids a direct 'yes' or 'no', often because you are unsure or do not want to commit to an answer yet

Example

"Do you like the new teacher?" "Maybe — I need more time."

one-word answer: maybe as hedging

"Will you come to the party?" "Maybe, but I will tell you soon."

Synonyms
  • perhaps

    used similarly as a hedging reply, but less common in short spoken answers

  • we'll see

    more casual and conversational; implies the decision depends on future events

Grammar Patterns

maybe as one-word answer

maybe + [but-clause]

Usage Note

As a one-word answer, 'maybe' can sound evasive or uncertain. In formal situations, it is better to give a clearer response such as 'I am not sure yet' or 'I will let you know.'

Common Mistakes

Maybe' as a complete written answer in a formal email.
I will confirm my availability by Friday.
In writing, a single 'maybe' can seem dismissive.

5. used to introduce a possible cause or explanation for something that happened, w

5.adverbB1
Definition

used to introduce a possible cause or explanation for something that happened, when you are guessing the reason

Example

Maybe she was tired, so she did not come to the party.

maybe + [clause] for possible explanation

The door was open — maybe someone forgot to close it.

Synonyms
  • perhaps

    works the same way when introducing a reason, but is slightly more formal

Grammar Patterns

maybe + [clause of reason]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (POSSIBILITY): sense 1 says 'X might be true or might happen,' while this sense says 'X is a possible reason why Y occurred.' The clause following 'maybe' in this sense is usually a cause or explanation.

maybe — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three words express that something is not certain, but they differ in formality and tone. 'Maybe' is the most common and casual choice in everyday conversation — it is used freely in speech, text messages, and informal writing. 'Perhaps' carries the same meaning but feels slightly more thoughtful or formal; it appears more often in written English, essays, and polite requests. 'Possibly' shifts the focus to whether something can realistically happen — it suggests that there is a real chance, not just that you are guessing. For example: 'Maybe I will go to the store later' (casual, no strong commitment); 'Perhaps we should reconsider our approach' (more formal, thoughtful); 'It could possibly rain this afternoon' (focus on real chance). When giving a short answer, only 'maybe' and 'perhaps' work naturally ('Will you come?' — 'Maybe.' / 'Perhaps.'), while 'possibly' sounds odd as a standalone reply.

maybe ↗perhaps ↗possibly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • maybe not
  • maybe so
  • or maybe
  • well maybe
  • but maybe
  • and maybe
  • maybe yes maybe no

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Maybe' comes from the Middle English phrase 'it may be', which gradually fused into a single word. 'May' comes from Old English 'mæg' (to be able, to have power) and 'be' from Old English 'bēon' (to exist, to happen). By the 15th century, the two-word phrase was already being written as one word in everyday use, reflecting how naturally people said it as a single unit of meaning.