- may
- may1 W1S1 [meı] modal v▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(possibility)¦2¦(possible to do something)¦3¦(allowed)¦4¦(in polite expressions)¦5¦(although )¦6 may as well7 may somebody/something do something8¦(purpose)¦9 be that as it may10 may well▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: mAg]1.) ¦(POSSIBILITY)¦if something may happen or may be true, there is a possibility that it will happen or be true but this is not certain= ↑might▪ I may be late, so don't wait for me.▪ Some chemicals may cause environmental damage.▪ There may not be enough money to pay for the repairs.▪ Well, I may have been wrong.▪ They may have called while you were out.▪ It may be that Minoan ships were built and repaired here.▪ Your job may well involve some travelling (=it is fairly likely) .2.) ¦(POSSIBLE TO DO SOMETHING)¦if something may be done, completed etc in a particular way, that is how it is possible to do it= ↑can▪ The problem may be solved in a number of different ways.3.) ¦(ALLOWED)¦a) used to say that someone is allowed to do something= ↑can▪ Thank you. You may go now.▪ There is a set of rules to show what members may and may not do.▪ You may sit down or stand, just as you wish.▪ No one may own more than 10% of the shares.b) may I/we ...?spoken formal used to ask politely for permission to do something▪ May I come in and wait?▪ May we use your office for a few minutes?4.) ¦(IN POLITE EXPRESSIONS)¦spoken formal used to say, ask, or suggest something in a polite way▪ All these things, if I may say so, are entirely irrelevant.▪ Who, may I ask, is Wotherspoon?▪ May I suggest that you consider the matter further before taking any action.5.) ¦(ALTHOUGH )¦used to say that even though one thing is true, something else which seems very different is also true▪ I may be slow, but at least I don't make stupid mistakes.▪ Although this may sound like a simple process, great care is needed.▪ Strange as it may seem, I always felt I belonged here.6.) may as wellspoken used to suggest that someone should do something, because there is no good reason to do anything else= ↑might as well▪ If there's nothing more to do, we may as well go to bed.▪ You may as well tell us now - we'll find out sooner or later.7.) may sb/sth do sthformal used to express a wish or hope▪ We pray for those who died - may they rest in peace.▪ It is a fine tradition and long may it continue!8.) ¦(PURPOSE)¦formal used after 'so that' or 'in order that' to say that someone does something in order to make something else possible▪ The hero sacrifices his life so that his friend may live.9.) be that as it mayformal in spite of what you have just mentioned▪ Perhaps there isn't one single system that will work for everyone. Be that as it may, we all need order in our lives.10.) may wellused to say that there is a good reason for a reaction, question, or feeling▪ 'What's all the noise?' 'You may well ask .'may 2may2 n [U] BrEthe white or pink flowers of the ↑hawthorn
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.