maybe

American  

[mey-bee] / ˈmeɪ bi /

adverb

1. perhaps; possibly.

   Maybe I'll go too.

---

noun

1. a possibility or uncertainty.

maybe British  

/ ˈmeɪˌbiː /

adverb

1. 1. perhaps

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      maybe I'll come tomorrow

---

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

However, what would happen if Lewis had fallen maybe two or three cars further back.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

This town kind of just softens off the edges of him a little bit and helps him become a little more authentic version of who he was maybe meant to be.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Not quickly, and not easily, but—and maybe I sound like Cramer here—societies can evolve.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

Because you were maybe having some doubts about moving in, because it is a little bit on the luxurious side,” Trump recalled.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

I pictured myself arranging a storefront window scene, maybe even coming up with the themes for the displays and helping to stage future fashion parades.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu