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maybe

adv. sent.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈmeɪbi// UK //mˈeɪbiː// maybe General-service Informal

adv. used to say that something is possible but not certain. You use it when you are not sure about a fact or a future plan.

adv. used to express uncertainty or possibility; perhaps. Often functions as a sentence-modifying disjunct or a response to a polar question.


SIMPLE

Maybe we can go to the park tomorrow.

CONTEXTUAL

I am not sure if I can come to the party, but maybe I will see you there.

COMPLEX

While the initial results are promising, maybe the most significant finding is how the participants reacted to the change in environment over time.

Synonyms
Origin

From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.

Usage

Typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause; less formal than 'perhaps'.

Pitfall

It maybe true.It may be true.Learners often confuse the single-word adverb 'maybe' with the verb phrase 'may be'.

Idioms1 entry

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