may

1 of 3

auxiliary verb

ˈmā

past might ˈmīt How to pronounce may (audio)

; present singular and plural may

—used to indicate possibility or probability

you may be rightthings you may need

—sometimes used interchangeably with can

one of those slipups that may happen from time to time

Jessica Mitford

—sometimes used where might would be expected

you may think from a little distance that the country was solid woods

Robert Frost

: have permission to

you may go now

: be free to

a rug on which children may sprawl

C. E. Silberman

—used nearly interchangeably with can

archaic : have the ability to

—used in auxiliary function expressing purpose or expectation

I laugh that I may not weep

or contingency

she'll do her duty come what may

or concession

he may be slow but he is thorough

or choice

the angler may catch them with a dip net, or he may cast a large, bare treble hook

Nelson Bryant

—used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire especially in prayer, imprecation, or benediction

may the best man win

: shall, must

—used in law where the sense, purpose, or policy requires this interpretation

may

2 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmā

archaic

: maiden

May

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈmā

: the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar

often not capitalized : the early vigorous blooming part of human life : prime

: the festivities of May Day

not capitalized

: green or flowering branches used for May Day decorations

: a plant that yields may: such as

(1)

: hawthorn

(2)

: a spring-flowering spirea

Word History

Etymology

Auxiliary verb

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mǣg kinsman, kinswoman, maiden

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French mai, from Latin Maius, from Maia, Roman goddess

First Known Use

Auxiliary Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	may
释义	may 1 of 3 auxiliary verb ˈmā past might ˈmīt ; present singular and plural may 1 a —used to indicate possibility or probability you may be rightthings you may need —sometimes used interchangeably with can one of those slipups that may happen from time to time Jessica Mitford —sometimes used where might would be expected you may think from a little distance that the country was solid woods Robert Frost b : have permission to you may go now : be free to a rug on which children may sprawl C. E. Silberman —used nearly interchangeably with can c archaic : have the ability to 2 —used in auxiliary function expressing purpose or expectation I laugh that I may not weep or contingency she'll do her duty come what may or concession he may be slow but he is thorough or choice the angler may catch them with a dip net, or he may cast a large, bare treble hook Nelson Bryant 3 —used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire especially in prayer, imprecation, or benediction may the best man win 4 : shall, must —used in law where the sense, purpose, or policy requires this interpretation may 2 of 3 noun (1) ˈmā archaic : maiden May 3 of 3 noun (2) ˈmā 1 : the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar 2 often not capitalized : the early vigorous blooming part of human life : prime 3 : the festivities of May Day 4 not capitalized a : green or flowering branches used for May Day decorations b : a plant that yields may: such as (1) : hawthorn (2) : a spring-flowering spirea Example Sentences Noun (2) Shakespeare called it “the merry month of May.” The last two Mays have been cold and rainy. Word History Etymology Auxiliary verb Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient Noun (1) Middle English, from Old English mǣg kinsman, kinswoman, maiden Noun (2) Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French mai, from Latin Maius, from Maia, Roman goddess First Known Use Auxiliary Verb before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c Noun (1) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above Noun (2) 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing may be that as it may if I may/might say so come what may if I may say so let the chips fall where they may wherever that may be might/may as well devil-may-care whatever the case (may be) may I just say See More be that as it may if I may/might say so come what may if I may say so let the chips fall where they may wherever that may be might/may as well devil-may-care whatever the case (may be) may I just say See More Kids Definition may 1 of 2 helping verb ˈmā past might ˈmīt ; present singular & plural may 1 : have permission to You may go now. 2 : be in some degree likely to You may be right. 3 —used to express a wish May the best man win. 4 —used to express purpose We exercise so that we may be strong. May 2 of 2 noun ˈmā : the fifth month of the year Biographical Definition May biographical name ˈmā Theresa (Mary) 1956– née Theresa Mary Brasier British prime minister (2016–2019)
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may

auxiliary verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing may

Kids Definition

helping verb

noun

Biographical Definition

biographical name