Meaning
3 senses(informal)Something that is possibly true.
(informal)An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.
The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes.
(informal)A future event that may or may not happen.
About your raise: it's a big maybe.
Examples
3404 sentencesI think maybe we've been too aggressive.
Я думаю, що ми, можливо, були занадто агресивні.
Maybe I shouldn't have done that.
Мабуть мені не треба було цього робити.
ruВозможно, мне не следовало этого делать.
Maybe Tom has some candy left.
Можливо, у Тома є ще кілька цукерок.
Maybe I just need some sleep.
Можливо, мені просто потрібно виспатися.
ruВозможно, мне лишь надо немного поспать.
deVielleicht brauche ich nur etwas Schlaf.
Maybe I should talk to Tom.
Може бути, мені слід поговорити з Томом.
ruВозможно, мне следует поговорить с Томом.
Origin
From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.
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Forms
plural: maybesSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsCollocations
8 patterns- thought that maybe
- think that maybe
- maybe this is
- maybe the only
- maybe someone else
- maybe someone
- maybe someday
- maybe now is