may
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.used to say that something is possible or might happen.
v.expresses a degree of epistemic possibility or likelihood.
Simple“We may go to the beach this weekend if the weather stays warm.”
In context“The proposed changes may lead to significant improvements in efficiency, though the initial implementation phase will likely be challenging.”
PitfallIt may happens tomorrow. It may happen tomorrow.As a modal verb, 'may' is followed by the base form of the verb without 's' or 'to'.
- 02 A2 Elementary
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'.
Simple“May I use your phone for a moment to call my parents?”
In context“Visitors may enter the gallery only after presenting a valid ticket at the main reception desk.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.used to express a strong wish or hope for someone.
v.used in the subjunctive mood to express a formal wish or benediction.
Simple“May you both be very happy in your new home.”
In context“May the new year bring prosperity and peace to all citizens of this nation.”
Synonyms - 04 A1 Beginner
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.
Simple“The flowers in the garden usually look their best in May.”
In context“The annual conference is scheduled for the second week of May to coincide with the spring festival.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The hedges were white with may in the early spring sunshine.”
In context“The poet describes the countryside as being draped in may, signaling the definitive arrival of the new season.”
Synonyms
Etymology tree Latin Maia Latin Maiusder. Old French maibor. Middle English May English May From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess.
The surname is converged from several origins: * As an English surname, from Middle English May, a pet form of Matthew (see Mayhew). * As an English, Dutch, German, Polish, and Jewish surname, from the name of the month. * Also as an English surname, occasionally a pet form of Mary or Margaret. * Also as an English surname, from the obsolete noun may (“kinsman”), from Old English maga (“son, relative”). * Also as an English surname, from obsolete Middle English mei (“physician”), a borrowing from Old English mege, from Latin medicus. See Mee. * As an Irish surname, Anglicized from Ó Miadhaigh (“descendant of Miadhach”), a name derived from miadh (“honor”). * As a French surname, shortened from Lemay, Dumay. * Also as a French surname, from a derivative of Latin Marius, similar to Mario. * As a Jewish surname, from the town Mayen in Germany. * As a Chinese surname, from 麥 /麦 (see Mai) and 梅 (méi)) (see Mei). * As an Amerindian (Mexico) surname of Mayan origin, from maay (“cloven hoof”), originally "young deer."
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.