perchance

American  

[per-chans, -chahns] / pərˈtʃæns, -ˈtʃɑns /

adverb

1. Literary. perhaps; maybe; possibly.

2. Archaic. by chance.

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perchance British  

/ pəˈtʃɑːns /

adverb

1. perhaps; possibly

2. by chance; accidentally

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Etymology

Origin of perchance

1300–50; Middle English, variant of par chance by chance < Anglo-French. See per, chance

Explanation

Perchance means “by chance” and is an old-fashioned or literary way to say “maybe.” Perchance comes from the Old French phrase par cheance, which means — you guessed it — "by chance." Perchance thinking of a French poet such as Baudelaire will help you remember the definition. People use this word when they’re unsure of something, and they want to sound fancy. If you say, “Perchance it will rain,” you’re not sure about the chance of rain, and you might be wearing a chapeau. Use the word perchance if you like to kick it old school.

Example Sentences

I think I realized something was up when I began wondering if he, perchance, liked guys.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2021

The same goes for when we most likely do or perchance do not delete said missives at our convenience.

From Washington Times • Dec. 6, 2019

To sleep, perchance to dream the same ominous dream being shared by three complete strangers — ay, there’s the rub in the new mystery drama “Falling Water.” 10 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2016

The Kickstarter campaign is going to offset our costs to fund this scientific expedition to go out and study hybrid whales and perchance connect with this whale.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2015

It seemed to Legolas, as he strained his farseeing eyes, that he caught a glint of white: far away perchance the sun twinkled on a pinnacle of the Tower of Guard.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien