Word
might
US/ˈmaɪt/
UK/mˈaɪt/
Definitions
01possibility
A2 · Elementary
v. you use this to say that something is possible, but you are not 100% sure.
v. a modal auxiliary used to express a degree of possibility or uncertainty regarding a future or present state.
日本語:～かもしれない※
“Take an umbrella because it might rain while we are at the park.”
“Economists suggest that the market might recover by the third quarter, though this projection depends heavily on consumer spending remaining stable.”
Pitfall
It might to rain later today.
It might rain later today.
As a modal verb, 'might' is followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'.
02polite suggestion or request
B1 · Intermediate Formal
v. a very polite way to ask for something or suggest an idea.
v. used to express a tentative or extremely polite request, suggestion, or permission.
“If I might make a suggestion, we could try the Italian restaurant instead.”
“I thought you might like to see the preliminary sketches before we present the final design to the board of directors.”
03strength or power
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. great power, strength, or influence.
n. great power, physical strength, or resources, often in a political or military context.
日本語:力※
“The army showed its military might by marching through the city.”
“The small nation struggled to resist the economic might of its much larger and more industrialised neighbour during the trade negotiations.”
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English myght, might (also maught, macht, maht), from Old English miht, mieht, meaht, mæht (“might, bodily strength, power, authority, ability, virtue, mighty work, miracle, angel”), from Proto-West Germanic mahti, from Proto-Germanic mahtiz, mahtuz (“might, power”), from Proto-Indo-European mógʰtis, megʰ- (“to allow, be able, help”), corresponding to Germanic maganą + *-þiz. Equivalent to may + -th. Cognate with Scots micht, maucht (“might”), North Frisian macht (“might, ability”), West Frisian macht (“might, ability”), Dutch macht (“might, power”), German Macht (“power, might”), Swedish makt (“might”), Norwegian makt (“power”), Icelandic máttur (“might”), Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 (mahts), and further to Russian мочь (močʹ, “power, might”) and мощь (moščʹ, “force, strength”), Ukrainian міч (mič) and міць (micʹ, “power”), Bulgarian мощ (mošt, “power, might”), Serbo-Croatian moć (“power”), Czech moc (“power”), Polish moc (“power”). See more at may.
From Old English meahte and mihte, inflections of magan, whence English may.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Grammar
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/might
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0