might
1[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /
auxiliary verb
simple past tense of may1.
(used to express possibility): They might be at the station.
(used to express advisability): You might at least thank me.
(used in polite requests for permission): Might I speak to you for a moment?
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
potency, efficacy, valor, control, force, energy, jurisdiction, authority, powerfulness, get-up-and-go, adequacy, arm, strength, capacity, sinew, puissance, sway, competence, vigor, prowess
Nearby words
Definition for might (2 of 3)
might
2[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /
noun
physical strength: He swung with all his might.
superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right.
power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity: the might of the ballot box.
Origin of might
2before 900; Middle English myghte, Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht, Gothic mahts; akin to may1
Related formsmight·less, adjective
Synonym study
1–3. See strength.
Definition for might (3 of 3)
may
1[ mey ]
/ meɪ /
auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person may, 2nd may or (Archaic) may·est or mayst, 3rd may; present plural may; past might.
(used to express possibility): It may rain.
(used to express opportunity or permission): You may enter.
(used to express contingency, especially in clauses indicating condition, concession, purpose, result, etc.): I may be wrong but I think you would be wise to go. Times may change but human nature stays the same.
(used to express wish or prayer): May you live to an old age.
Archaic. (used to express ability or power.)
Compare might1.
Origin of may
1before 900; Middle English mai 1st and 3rd person singular present indicative of mouen, Old English mæg (infinitive magan); cognate with German mögen
Can be confusedcan may shall will (see usage note at can1) (see usage note at shall)may might must (see synonym study at must1)
Usage note
See can1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for might (1 of 7)
might
1/ (maɪt) /
verb
making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may 1 he might have come last night
(often foll by well) expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come . In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of maySee may 1 (def. 2)
Word Origin for might
OE miht
xref
See may 1
British Dictionary definitions for might (2 of 7)
might
2/ (maɪt) /
noun
power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind
physical strength
(with) might and main See main 1 (def. 8)
Word Origin for might
Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht
British Dictionary definitions for might (3 of 7)
May
1/ (meɪ) /
noun
the fifth month of the year, consisting of 31 days
Word Origin for May
from Old French, from Latin Maius, probably from Maia, Roman goddess, identified with the Greek goddess Maia
British Dictionary definitions for might (4 of 7)
May
2/ (meɪ) /
noun
Robert McCredie, Baron. born 1936, Australian biologist and ecologist
British Dictionary definitions for might (5 of 7)
may
1/ (meɪ) /
verb past might (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive used as an auxiliary)
Word Origin for may
Old English mæg, from magan: compare Old High German mag, Old Norse mā
usage
It was formerly considered correct to use may rather than can when referring to permission as in: you may use the laboratory for your experiments, but this use of may is now almost entirely restricted to polite questions such as: may I open the window? The use of may with if in constructions such as: your analysis may have been more more credible if … is generally regarded as incorrect, might being preferred: your analysis might have been more credible if …
British Dictionary definitions for might (6 of 7)
Word Origin for may
Old English mæg; related to Old High German māg kinsman, Old Norse māgr a relative by marriage
British Dictionary definitions for might (7 of 7)
Word Origin for may
C16: from the month of May, when it flowers
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with might
may
see be that as it may; come what may; let the chips fall where they may; to whom it may concern.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.