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

Not only will Arsenal head to France for the second leg with a one-goal advantage, but perhaps also momentum earned from gaining ground in the WSL title race.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

"The most surprising finding perhaps was the extent of wear on the jaws," says Iba.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

Members who tried to nudge him out perhaps should have nudged a little harder.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

But there’s a remove in the rigorous focus on the snapshots that perhaps also protects her from the full crushing weight of these emotions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Christopher had expected the sea around the island to be wild, perhaps with ten-foot waves or some other ferocious way of holding people within, but the sea was only the sea: restless, gray, without malice.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell