perhaps

American  

[per-haps] / pərˈhæps /

adverb

1. maybe; possibly.

   Perhaps the package will arrive today.

---

perhaps British  

/ pəˈhæps, præps /

adverb

1. 1. possibly; maybe

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      he'll arrive tomorrow, perhaps

      perhaps you'll see him tomorrow

---

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

Example Sentences

In their disgust with the traditional media, revealed in survey after survey, their feelings are perhaps founded on more than mere prejudice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

I have no solution for the fraught dynamics of social media, besides perhaps throwing one’s phone in a lake, and “Yesteryear’s” target audience isn’t likely to heed that advice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The hosts get generational wealth and perhaps retain enough editorial freedom to look in the mirror and tell themselves they aren’t sellouts.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026

"One thing that also strikes me is how humble they've been, which perhaps is quite telling considering the values of the award."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

For perhaps ten minutes, while I racked my brain for everything I had ever heard or read on the subject, we talked about dogs.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom