perhaps

American  

[per-haps] / pərˈhæps /

adverb

1. maybe; possibly.

   Perhaps the package will arrive today.

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perhaps British  

/ pəˈhæps, præps /

adverb

1. 1. possibly; maybe

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      he'll arrive tomorrow, perhaps

      perhaps you'll see him tomorrow

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1. it may happen, be so, etc; maybe

Etymology

Origin of perhaps

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier perhappes, perhapis “by haps”; equivalent to per + hap ¹ + -s ¹

Compare meaning

How does perhaps compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• perhaps vs. maybe

Explanation

Perhaps means about the same thing as maybe: things that perhaps could happen might happen, or they might not. When someone asks if you want to do something and you say "Perhaps" — you haven't committed. It's another way of saying "I don't know" or "It's possible. Who knows?" People use perhaps when talking about things they aren't sure about, or things they don't want to answer in a decisive way. When a friend says, "Perhaps we'll go to that movie," don't count on it. He's keeping his options open.

Example Sentences

"Future therapies may need to be much more targeted -- perhaps acting only in the skin, without interfering with the neuronal mechanisms that tell us when to stop scratching."

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

He can retire, join another team or perhaps return to the Lakers next season.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

Quarterly reports from the largest tech companies have pointed to the continued growth of AI investments and a shortage of components, memory perhaps chief among them.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

In a better world, perhaps he’d have had a change of heart and repented of his increasingly intolerant tirades.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

It is perhaps all in my head, but then so much else is that it doesn’t matter.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen