What does "perhaps" mean?

1. (possibly) used to say that something might be true or might happen. 2. (polite suggestion) you use this to be polite when suggesting an idea or asking for something. 3. (an uncertainty) a thing that is not certain or has not been decided yet.

Is it correct to say "Perhaps will it rain tomorrow."?

No — say "Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.". Unlike 'maybe', 'perhaps' does not usually trigger a change in word order; place it before the subject or the whole clause.

perhaps

adv. · n.

US //pɝˈhæps// UK //pəhˈæps// per·haps

1 possibly (adv.)
A2 Elementary

used to say that something might be true or might happen.

used to express uncertainty or to indicate that a statement is a possibility rather than a fact.

Example

Perhaps we should check the weather before we leave for our hike.

Example

Perhaps the most significant finding of the study is that sleep quality impacts cognitive performance more than previously assumed.
- certainly
- definitely
Pitfall

Perhaps will it rain tomorrow.

Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.

Unlike 'maybe', 'perhaps' does not usually trigger a change in word order; place it before the subject or the whole clause.
2 polite suggestion (adv.)
B1 Intermediate Formal

you use this to be polite when suggesting an idea or asking for something.

employed as a pragmatic marker to soften a request, suggestion, or criticism, making it appear less direct.

Example

Perhaps you could help me move this table to the other room?

Example

Perhaps you would be kind enough to forward the revised contract to the legal department for a final review.
- maybe

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3 an uncertainty (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

a thing that is not certain or has not been decided yet.

an uncertainty or a possibility that has not yet been confirmed. Often used in the plural 'perhapses'.

Example

Life is full of 'perhapses' and very few certainties.

Example

The future of the project is currently a series of perhapses, contingent upon the next round of venture capital funding.
- uncertainty
- possibility
- certainty
- fact

Origin

From Middle English perhappes, perhappous, variant of earlier perhap (“perhaps, possibly”), equivalent to per + hap (“chance, coincidence”) + -s, on model of Middle English parchaunce (modern perchance).