maybeadverb
uk/ˈmeɪ.bi/us/ˈmeɪ.bi/A2 used to show that something is possible or that something might be true:
Maybe they'll come tomorrow.
Maybe you were right after all.
informal used to show that a number or amount is approximate:
There were 200, maybe 300, refugees on the boat.
A2 used to politely suggest or ask for something:
Maybe Ted would like to go.
Maybe we should start again.
used to avoid giving a clear or certain answer to a question:
"Are you coming to Kelly's party?" "Maybe."
used to mean that something is a possible explanation for why something else happened:
"Why were you chosen for the team and not me?" "Maybe it's because I've been to more practices than you."
More examples
- "Is she old?" "Fairly old - late sixties maybe."
- "Can we go to the park after school?" "Maybe - it depends whether I get all my work finished."
- Maybe you'll get a letter from Daddy in the post today.
- I think maybe I ought to go round there and apologize for what I said.
- "Are you going out tonight?" "Maybe, maybe not - I haven't decided yet."
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Possible and probable
- always
- anything's possible idiom
- arguably
- as never before idiom
- avenue
- course
- lean
- lean towards sth
- liable
- likelihood
- likely
- realm
- sporting chance
- stand
- strange
- stranger things have happened idiom
- strong
- ten
- ten to one idiom
- vista
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Approximate
Suggestions & proposals
Uncertainty