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

Should they detract from her advice, when maybe hearing “I have a good kid” could really help someone?

From Slate • May 10, 2026

When his children pass away, he continues, maybe they’ll be buried on the moon, or on Mars.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

And maybe we’re all calm because there’s nothing more to do on board than take part in the activities and enjoy the ocean view.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“As a player, you don’t really know how good you are, or how much you can handle, capacity wise, until put in a situation that’s maybe a little over your head.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

I think maybe the compass incident, the disaster he had so nearly brought upon us that day, had changed him, made him more aware of other people.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo