perhaps

1 of 2

adverb

per·​haps pər-ˈhaps 

ˈpraps

: possibly but not certainly : maybe

perhaps

2 of 2

noun

: something open to doubt or conjecture

Synonyms of perhaps

Adverb

• maybe
• possibly
• probably

Examples of perhaps in a Sentence

Adverb

perhaps we will not have to take this exam, but I doubt it

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Another slow Boise State start Boise State’s season-opening half against Oregon earlier this month saw the Broncos lead 17-14 at halftime, perhaps indicating a team that would be hot out of the gates. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026

Another issue, and perhaps the bigger one, is that the US currently doesn’t operate a uniform multi-service verification standard for this kind of thing. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

Miami’s defense did perhaps its best job in that regard on Friday in the Hurricanes’ 33-20 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Yorba Linda was 4-0 and perhaps the best opponent on the Oilers’ schedule. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

per + hap

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1520, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perhaps

• bitmaps
• bootstraps
• collapse
• elapse
• mishaps
• prolapse
• relapse
• satraps
• wiretaps
• apps
• caps
• chaps

Kids Definition

perhaps

adverb

per·​haps

pər-ˈ(h)aps, 

ˈpraps

: possibly but not certainly

Etymology

Adverb

from per (preposition) "by, according to" and haps, plural of hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, mishap