Word
maybe
US/ˈmeɪbi/
UK/mˈeɪbiː/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01perhaps
A1 · Beginner
adv. used to say that something might happen or might be true.
adv. used to indicate that something is possible or probable but not certain.
日本語:たぶん※
“Maybe we can go to the park if the rain stops later.”
“Maybe the initial projections were too optimistic, given that the market has shifted so significantly in the last quarter.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02making a suggestion
A2 · Elementary
adv. you use this to suggest something politely without being too direct.
adv. used as a pragmatic marker to soften a suggestion or request, making it less assertive.
“Maybe you should call him and ask for more information.”
“Maybe we should reconsider the current strategy before committing the remainder of the annual budget to this project.”
Synonyms
03an uncertain answer
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. an answer that is not 'yes' or 'no'.
n. a response or status indicating uncertainty or a lack of commitment to a binary choice.
“I asked if she was coming to the party, but she only gave me a maybe.”
“The client's response was a frustrating maybe, leaving the production team unable to book the necessary equipment for the shoot.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Confusables
Maybe is a single-word adverb of probability, whereas may be is a two-word verb phrase consisting of a modal and a main verb.
RememberMaybe = Perhaps. May be = Might be.
Etymology
From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/maybe
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0