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

See Examples For:

perhaps

Musk’s team argued that the spending on AI data centers would have quick payback, perhaps in less than one year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

And speaking of back to basics, wired headphones are perhaps as simple as you can get, but again proving popular online.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

That could mean gold has more room to move higher, perhaps even to fresh record highs.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

On the road again, Tucker went five for 11 in three games against the Cubs this week — perhaps a sign of good things to come, in a season full of false starts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

There was little time to think because I had to study for exams, and perhaps that lack of time made up my mind for me.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo