maybe

maybe
may|be
W2S1 [ˈmeıbi] adv [sentence adverb]
1.) used to say that something may happen or may be true but you are not certain
= ↑perhaps
▪ Maybe it's all just a big misunderstanding.
▪ 'Do you think he'll come back?' 'Maybe.'
▪ Maybe they're right, but maybe not .
▪ You have talent, maybe even genius.
▪ He said he'd finish the work soon - maybe tomorrow.
2.) spoken used to reply to a suggestion or idea when either you are not sure if you agree with it, or you do not want to say 'yes' or 'no'
▪ 'I think Sheila would be an excellent manager.' 'Maybe.'
3.) used to show that you are not sure of an amount or number
▪ The problems really started maybe two or three years ago.
▪ He looked like he was thirty, maybe thirty-five years old.
4.) spoken used to make a suggestion you are not quite sure about
▪ If the bill doesn't seem right, maybe you should give them a call.
▪ Maybe I can ride the bicycle and follow you.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • maybe — an adverb meaning ‘perhaps’, is such a familiar part of current standard English that it comes as a surprise to know that it fell out of use in the 19c to an extent that caused the OED to label it ‘archaic and dialect’. It has a somewhat informal …   Modern English usage

  • Maybe — May be, adv. [For it may be.] Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. [1913 Webster] Maybe the amorous count solicits her. Shak. [1913 Webster] In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way. Tylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maybe — May be, a. Possible; probable, but not sure. [R.] [1913 Webster] Then add those maybe years thou hast to live. Driden. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maybe — May be, n. Possibility; uncertainty. [R.] [1913 Webster] What they offer is mere maybe and shift. Creech. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • maybe — (adv.) early 15c., from (it) may be; see MAY (Cf. may) (v.1) + BE (Cf. be) (v.). Still sometimes written as two words early 19c …   Etymology dictionary

  • maybe — [adv] possibly as it may be, can be, conceivable, conceivably, could be, credible, feasible, imaginably, it could be, might be, obtainable, perchance, perhaps, weather permitting; concept 552 Ant. certainly, definitely, surely …   New thesaurus

  • maybe — ► ADVERB ▪ perhaps; possibly …   English terms dictionary

  • maybe — [mā′bē] adv. [ME (for it may be)] perhaps …   English World dictionary

  • Maybe — Perchance redirects here. For the phrase with the word, see To be, or not to be. Maybe may refer to: Music Maybe, a song written in 1926 by George and Ira Gershwin, from the musical Oh, Kay! Maybe (1935 song), a 1935 song by Allan Flynn and Frank …   Wikipedia

  • Maybe.ru — Стиль этой статьи неэнциклопедичен или нарушает нормы русского языка. Статью следует исправить согласно стилистическим правилам Википедии …   Википедия

  • maybe */*/*/ — UK [ˈmeɪbɪ] / US adverb Summary: Maybe can be used in the following ways: as a sentence adverb, making a comment on the whole sentence or clause: Maybe I ll come too. as an ordinary adverb (before a number): There were maybe 15 people there. Get… …   English dictionary

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