perhaps

American  

[per-haps] / pərˈhæps /

adverb

1. maybe; possibly.

   Perhaps the package will arrive today.

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perhaps British  

/ pəˈhæps, præps /

adverb

1. 1. possibly; maybe

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      he'll arrive tomorrow, perhaps

      perhaps you'll see him tomorrow

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1. it may happen, be so, etc; maybe

Etymology

Origin of perhaps

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier perhappes, perhapis “by haps”; equivalent to per + hap ¹ + -s ¹

Compare meaning

How does perhaps compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• perhaps vs. maybe

Explanation

Perhaps means about the same thing as maybe: things that perhaps could happen might happen, or they might not. When someone asks if you want to do something and you say "Perhaps" — you haven't committed. It's another way of saying "I don't know" or "It's possible. Who knows?" People use perhaps when talking about things they aren't sure about, or things they don't want to answer in a decisive way. When a friend says, "Perhaps we'll go to that movie," don't count on it. He's keeping his options open.

Example Sentences

This may explain why her name recognition is perhaps not what it should be in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Given all the doubts around Adobe, it’s perhaps surprising that the company will likely go with an internal candidate to replace Narayen.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

The blowup at “60 Minutes” is an especially messy and conflicted expression perhaps of a necessary transition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Artemis is a series of missions geared towards returning humans to the Moon, perhaps as soon as 2028.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

He thought of his father and grandfather, waiting, perhaps angry, perhaps terrified and panicking, for his return.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell