maybe

1 of 2

adverb

may·​be ˈmā-bē How to pronounce maybe (audio)
also ˈme-
Synonyms of maybenext
: perhaps

maybe

2 of 2

noun

: uncertainty

Synonyms of maybe

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of maybe in a Sentence

Adverb maybe we can make it to the concert, if we hurry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
For no other reason than to have her on that red carpet, to maybe get a little time on the telecast and the chaos that that just promises. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 But maybe in an age when smartphones keep them in constant contact with their children, helicopter parents have become more extreme and emboldened. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
That’s another $263 million for three maybes. — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2026 That's still one too many maybes when $50 million is at stake. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for maybe

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maybe was in the 15th century

Rhymes for maybe

See All Rhymes for maybe

Browse Nearby Words

May basket
maybe
may beetle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maybe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maybe. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

maybe

adverb
may·​be
ˈmā-bē, 
ˈmeb-ē
: perhaps

More from Merriam-Webster on maybe

Nglish: Translation of maybe for Spanish Speakers

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