language note: Might is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb.
1. modal verb
You use might to indicate that something will possibly happen or be true in the future, but you cannot be certain.
[vagueness]
Smoking might be banned totally in most buildings.
The two countries might go to war.
I might well regret it later.
He said he might not be back until tonight.
2. modal verb
You use might to indicate that there is a possibility that something is true, but you cannot becertain.
[vagueness]
She and Simon's father had not given up hope that he might be alive.
You might be right.
They haven't seen each other for five years; he might not be interested in her anymore.
...a suit that looks as though it might contain polyester.
3. modal verb
You use might to indicate that something could happen or be true in particular circumstances.
[vagueness]
Your child might do better with a different teacher.
...the type of person who might appear in a fashion magazine.
4. modal verb
You use might have with a past participle to indicate that it is possible that something happened or was true, or when giving a possible explanation for something.
I heard what might have been an explosion.
She thought the shooting might have been an accident.
The equipment needed to clean up the spill might not have arrived yet.
The letters might not have been meant for me at all.
5. modal verb
You use might have with a past participle to indicate that something was a possibility in the past,although it did not actually happen.
If she had had to give up riding she might have taken up sailing competitively.
Had the bomb dropped on a city, there might have been a great deal of damage.
The report might have been better written.
I didn't give my name because if I did I thought you might not have come.
6. modal verb
You use might in statements where you are accepting the truth of a situation, but contrasting it with something that is more important.
He might be a bore, but he was as quick-witted as a weasel.
She might not have much energy but she still has a stinging wit.
7. modal verb
You use might when you are saying emphatically that someone ought to do the thing mentioned, especially when you are annoyed because they have not done it.
[emphasis]
And while I'm out you might clean up the kitchen.
You might have told me that before!
8. modal verb
You use might to make a suggestion or to give advice in a very polite way.
[politeness]
They might be wise to stop advertising on television.
You might try the gas station down the street.
You might want to consider cycling.
I was just wondering if you might like to go feed the cat.
I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday.
It might be a good idea to tell your husband.
9. modal verb
You use might as a polite way of interrupting someone, asking a question, making a request, or introducing what you are going to say next.
[formal, spoken, politeness]
Might I make a suggestion?
Might I ask what you're doing here?
Might I trouble you for a drop more tea?
I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment.
Might I draw your readers' attention to the dangers in the Government's proposal.
10. modal verb
You use might in expressions such as as you might expect and as you might imagine in order to indicate that the statement you are making is not surprising.
'How's Jan?' she asked.—'Bad. As you might expect.'.
The drivers, as you might imagine, didn't care much for that.
11. modal verb
You use might in expressions such as I might add and I might say in order to emphasize a statement that you are making.
[emphasis]
Relatives ring up constantly, not always for the best motives, I might add.
It didn't come as a great surprise to me, I might say.
12. modal verb
You use might in expressions such as I might have known and I might have guessed to indicate that you are not surprised at a disappointing event or fact.
I might have known I'd find you with her.
'I detest clutter, you know.'—'I didn't know, but I might have guessed.'
13. might as well
English Easy Learning GrammarMay and mightBoth may and might can be used in requests and in expressions of possibility for thepresent and future. Might I ask you your name? The weather may/might ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarAuxiliary verbsAn auxiliary verb is a verb that is used together with a main verb to show time andcontinuity. Be and have are the primary auxiliaries. A primary auxiliary ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarConditional clausesConditional sentences consist of a main clause and a conditional clause (sometimescalled an if-clause). The conditional clause usually begins with if ... Read more
might noun uses
(maɪt)
1. uncountable noun
Might is power or strength.
[formal]
The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
Synonyms: power, force, energy, ability More Synonyms of might
2.
See with all one's might
might in British English1
(maɪt)
verb
1. making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may1
he might have come last night
2. (often foll by well)
expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come. In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of may
may1 (sense 2)
▶ USAGE See note at may1
Word origin
OE miht
might in British English2
(maɪt)
noun
1.
power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind
2.
physical strength
3. (with) might and main
Word origin
Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht
might in American English1
(maɪt)
noun
1.
great or superior strength, power, force, or vigor
2.
strength or power of any degree
SIMILAR WORDS: strength
Word origin
ME mighte < OE miht, akin to Ger macht < IE base *māgh-, to be able > ON magn
might in American English2
(maɪt)
auxiliary verb
1. pt. of
may1
2.
used as a modal auxiliary in verbal phrases with present or future time reference, generally equivalent to may1 in meaning and use, with the following functions:
a.
expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a lesser degree of possibility
it might rain
b.
expressing a lesser degree of permission
might I go?
c.
expressing a lesser degree of obligation
you might try to help
verb intransitive
3.
used elliptically in the same functions as might2 auxiliary verb.
Word origin
ME mihte < OE, akin to Ger möchte
More idioms containing
might
pigs might fly
someone might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb
Examples of 'might' in a sentence
might
And they encourage people to use ingredients they might not be familiar with.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We should ask ourselves too whether on some of her chosen issues she might actually be right.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This might force ministers into more spending cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The one reform that might make a difference is financial.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Hopefully one time in the future we might get a chance to redeem ourselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There might be something in the midlife crisis cliché.
The Sun (2016)
There were 155 passengers and crew members on a plane that might soon be sinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the past there might have been one or two contenders but this time there are atleast four sides who can win it.
The Sun (2016)
Power parting might sound contrived, but it's got to be better than this.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is just to give you some idea of the treatments that might be used.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
We all joined the service knowing full well what might be expected of us.
Christianity Today (2000)
Perhaps the army might be the making of him.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
These little details might make a difference.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Soon perhaps he might return to normality.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
In days past he might have been tempted to cash in on his success instantly.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She is also worried that the economic downturn might lead to more crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There remained two respects in which it might affect their rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Your poor ma and pa may have left something that might be just the thing.
Diana Wynne Jones CHARMED LIFE (1977)
The healthy snack might go some way to explaining his stamina as he approaches his tenth decade.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You might think that financial meltdown would destroy the arts.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Their own bowling strength might be about to come under scrutiny.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Though a note from your doc might help in future.
The Sun (2015)
The concepts might come in useful in and out of the workplace.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The five cups of coffee he drinks each day might also have something to do with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Our eyes are there to help us discern so we might as well use them.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They might be full one way but empty the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Might is rightThomas Carlyle
In other languages
might
British English: might /maɪt/ VERB
You use might when something is possible.
He might win the race.
American English: might
Arabic: مِنَ الـمُحْتَمَل
Brazilian Portuguese: talvez
Chinese: 可能会
Croatian: moći
Czech: možná
Danish: måske
Dutch: kunnen
European Spanish: poder
Finnish: saattaa
French: être susceptible de
German: können
Greek: μπορώ
Italian: potrei, potresticonditional mood
Japanese: かもしれない
Korean: ~일지도 모른다
Norwegian: kanskje
Polish: móc
European Portuguese: poder
Romanian: a fi posibil
Russian: мочь
Latin American Spanish: poderintención
Swedish: kanske
Thai: อาจจะ
Turkish: muktedir olmak
Ukrainian: могти
Vietnamese: có thể
Chinese translation of 'might'
might
(maɪt)
aux vb
(possibility)
I might get home late我可能会(會)晚回家 (wǒ kěnéng huì wǎn huíjiā)
you might be right你也许(許)是对(對)的 (nǐ yěxǔ shì duì de)
it might have been an accident可能是个(個)事故 (kěnéng shì gè shìgù)
you might have been killed!你差点(點)儿(兒)没(沒)命了! (nǐ chàdiǎnr méimìng le!)
(suggestions)
you might try the bookshop你可以试(試)一下书(書)店 (nǐ kěyǐ shì yīxià shūdiàn)
(permission)
might I make a suggestion?我可以提个(個)建议(議)吗(嗎)？ (wǒ kěyǐ tí gè jiànyì ma?)
(in expressions)
I might have known or guessed我早就该(該)知道｛或｝猜到 (wǒ zǎo jiù zhīdào huò cāidào)
you might as well go你不妨也去 (nǐ bùfáng yě qù)
n(u)
(= power) 力量 (lìliàng)
with all one's might竭尽(盡)全力地 (jiéjìn quánlì de)
All related terms of 'might'
with all one's might
竭尽(盡)全力地 jiéjìn quánlì de
you might be right
你也许(許)是对(對)的 nǐ yěxǔ shì duì de
you might as well go
你不妨也去 nǐ bùfáng yě qù
I might get home late
我可能会(會)晚回家 wǒ kěnéng huì wǎn huíjiā
might I make a suggestion?
我可以提个(個)建议(議)吗(嗎)？ wǒ kěyǐ tí gè jiànyì ma?
you might have been killed!
你差点(點)儿(兒)没(沒)命了! nǐ chàdiǎnr méimìng le!
you might try the bookshop
你可以试(試)一下书(書)店 nǐ kěyǐ shì yīxià shūdiàn
I might have known or guessed
我早就该(該)知道｛或｝猜到 wǒ zǎo jiù zhīdào huò cāidào
it might have been an accident
可能是个(個)事故 kěnéng shì gè shìgù
you might or may as well tell me
你还(還)是告诉(訴)我吧 nǐ háishì gàosù wǒ ba
it might be worthwhile to write to them
给(給)他们(們)写(寫)信是值得的 gěi tāmen xiěxìn shì zhídé de
(noun)
Definition
great power, strength, or vigour
The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
Synonyms
power
He had no power in his left arm.
force
slamming the door behind her with all her force
energy
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
ability
No one had faith in his ability to do the job.
strength
He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
capacity
Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
efficiency
ways to increase agricultural efficiency
capability
These tasks are far beyond her capabilities.
sway
How can mothers keep daughters under their sway?
clout (informal)
The two firms wield enormous clout in financial markets.
vigour
He lacks the vigour of a normal, healthy teenager.
He played with great vigour.
prowess
potency
the extraordinary potency of his personality
efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
valour
puissance
hard power
idiom
See with all your might
Quotation
Might is right [Thomas Carlyle]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ability
Definition
possession of the necessary skill or power to do something
No one had faith in his ability to do the job.
Synonyms
capability,
power,
potential,
facility,
capacity,
qualification,
competence,
proficiency,
competency,
potentiality
in the sense of capability
Definition
the ability or skill to do something
These tasks are far beyond her capabilities.
Synonyms
ability,
means,
power,
potential,
facility,
capacity,
qualification(s),
faculty,
competence,
proficiency,
wherewithal,
potentiality
in the sense of capacity
Definition
the ability to do something
Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
Synonyms
ability,
power,
strength,
facility,
gift,
intelligence,
efficiency,
genius,
faculty,
capability,
forte,
readiness,
aptitude,
aptness,
competence or competency
Synonyms of 'might'
might
Explore 'might' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clout
Definition
power or influence
The two firms wield enormous clout in financial markets.
Synonyms
influence,
power,
standing,
authority,
pull (informal),
weight,
bottom,
prestige,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
Synonyms
effectiveness,
efficiency,
power,
value,
success,
strength,
virtue,
vigour,
use,
usefulness,
potency,
fruitfulness,
productiveness,
efficaciousness
in the sense of efficiency
ways to increase agricultural efficiency
Synonyms
effectiveness,
power,
economy,
productivity,
organization,
efficacy,
cost-effectiveness,
orderliness
in the sense of energy
Definition
capacity for intense activity
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
Synonyms
strength,
might,
force,
power,
activity,
intensity,
stamina,
exertion,
forcefulness
in the sense of force
Definition
strength or power
slamming the door behind her with all her force
Synonyms
power,
might,
pressure,
energy,
stress,
strength,
impact,
muscle,
momentum,
impulse,
stimulus,
vigour,
potency,
dynamism,
welly (slang),
life
in the sense of potency
the extraordinary potency of his personality
Synonyms
influence,
might,
force,
control,
authority,
energy,
potential,
strength,
capacity,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of strength
Definition
degree of intensity or concentration of colour, light, sound, or flavour
He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
Synonyms
force,
power,
intensity,
energy,
depth,
vehemence,
intenseness
in the sense of sway
Definition
power or influence
How can mothers keep daughters under their sway?
Synonyms
power,
control,
influence,
government,
rule,
authority,
command,
sovereignty,
jurisdiction,
clout (informal),
dominion,
predominance,
ascendency
in the sense of vigour
Definition
physical or mental energy
He lacks the vigour of a normal, healthy teenager.He played with great vigour.