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

Maybe it is timely too that he has struggled in his final season - to highlight the incredible heights he scaled previously.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Maybe investors believed Rocket Lab needed to trade at a discount to SpaceX.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Maybe you need to squint to see it right now, but after I give you this egg “biscuit” recipe, you’ll be running to the kitchen and that image will become much clearer.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Maybe the most important thing that Christopher Brown, an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, said Thursday about scams targeting U.S. citizens is that people who fall for them shouldn’t feel embarrassed.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Maybe this was even better than nominating Courtney.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott