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Maybe

//ˈmeɪ.bi// adj, adv, noun, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Possible; uncertain.

    "Then add those may-be years thou hast to live"

Adverb
  1. 1
    Perhaps, possibly. not-comparable

    "A small extra effort now can maybe save you much work later."

  2. 2
    Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement). not-comparable

    "Okay. See you later, maybe. — Maybe I’ll see you later."

  3. 3
    Certainly. UK, not-comparable

    "Maybe not the best idea."

Adverb
  1. 1
    by chance wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    Something that is possibly true. informal
  2. 2
    An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement. informal

    "The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes."

  3. 3
    A future event that may or may not happen. informal

    "About your raise: it's a big maybe."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.

Etymology 2

From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.

Etymology 3

From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.

See also for "maybe"

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