maybe

American  

[mey-bee] / ˈmeɪ bi /

adverb

1. perhaps; possibly.

   Maybe I'll go too.

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noun

1. a possibility or uncertainty.

maybe British  

/ ˈmeɪˌbiː /

adverb

1. 1. perhaps

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      maybe I'll come tomorrow

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1. possibly; neither yes nor no

Etymology

Origin of maybe

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English may be, short for it may be

Compare meaning

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

• perhaps vs. maybe

Explanation

When you say maybe, you're not completely sure about your answer. If you say you'll maybe study at the library tonight, it is possible that you'll go there. Maybe is a shortened version of the Middle English phrase, "it may be." People use it when they're not sure about something — or they aren't ready to give their answer. Sometimes other things have to happen — or not happen — before you can be sure. For example, because it might rain tomorrow, you aren't sure there will be a baseball game. In the meantime, you answer, "Maybe," if someone asks if you are going to the game.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maybe

Like Kreinbrink, some Americans are convinced that in Europe, they can eat whatever they want, feel great and maybe even lose weight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

"In our house, I de-clutter maybe once a month," she says.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

Or maybe he just doesn’t care that much.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

“It’s also different when someone feels like they maybe want to fit somewhere else,” Ogwumike said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

It could be any time, maybe within six days, his master said.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios