may

A2 · Elementary Formal

v. used to ask for or give permission in a polite way.

v. denotes the granting or seeking of permission; considered more formal than 'can'.

“May I use your phone for a moment to call my parents?”

“Visitors may enter the gallery only after presenting a valid ticket at the main reception desk.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary · Formal

v. used to express a strong wish or hope for someone.

v. used in the subjunctive mood to express a formal wish or benediction.

“May you both be very happy in your new home.”

“May the new year bring prosperity and peace to all citizens of this nation.”

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. the fifth month of the year, coming after April and before June.

n. the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar. Always capitalized as a proper noun.

“The flowers in the garden usually look their best in May.”

“The annual conference is scheduled for the second week of May to coincide with the spring festival.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · British English

n. the white or pink flowers of the hawthorn bush that bloom in spring.

n. the blossom of the hawthorn tree, Crataegus monogyna. Often used in a collective sense.

“The hedges were white with may in the early spring sunshine.”

“The poet describes the countryside as being draped in may, signaling the definitive arrival of the new season.”