maybe — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. Perhaps, possibly.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

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

   Maybe I was imagining it, but I could swear that the dog understood what I was saying.

2. Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • as a pro-sentence

   Examples

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

3. Certainly.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Maybe not the best idea.

Adjective

1. Possible; uncertain.

   Examples

   Then add those may-be years thou hast to live

Noun

1. Something that is possibly true.

   Usage

   • Informal

2. An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Examples

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

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

   Usage

   • Informal

   Examples

   About your raise: it's a big maybe.

Adverb

1. by chance

   Synonyms

   possiblyperchanceperhapsmayhapperadventure

   Examples

   perhaps she will call tomorrow

   we may possibly run into them at the concert

   More examples (1)

   it may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time