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 right

things 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

Can vs. May: Usage Guide

Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses indicating possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's compliance, they have also become interchangeable in the sense that means "to have permission." The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

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 may : the early vigorous blooming part of human life : prime

3

: the festivities of May Day

4

may

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

Examples of may in a Sentence

Noun (2)

Shakespeare called it “the merry month of May.”

The last two Mays have been cold and rainy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His embrace of the legislation marked a shift for the governor, who appeared uninterested in engaging with the corporate tax proposal as recently as May. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

King took a DNA test in May after prosecutors introduced the allegation in court filings, causing his trial to be delayed. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Just before the trial was set to commence in May, Lively dropped her lawsuit and settled with Baldoni and Wayfarer. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 July 2026

Beirut We Design Beirut will return for its third edition from May 26 to 30, 2027, organizers told WWD Thursday. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

The district’s month-end cash balance is projected to go negative by $231 million in November 2027, and negative again from February through May 2028. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

In May, the agency proposed delaying emission standards set to kick in for new light- and medium-duty cars and trucks starting with model year 2027. — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

In May, a single-family home in the 900 block of Bentley Oak Court sold for $2,920,000, a price per square foot of $860. — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

In addition to May, Power and Alyssa Altman will executive produce. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 July 2026

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)

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
• come what may
• devil-may-care
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• let the chips fall where they may
• may I just say
• might/may as well
• whatever the case (may be)
• wherever that may be

Rhymes for may

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

may

1 of 2 helping verb

(ˈ)mā

past might

(ˈ)mīt

; present singular & plural may

1

a

: have permission to

you may go now

b

: be in some degree likely to

you may be right

2

—used to express a wish or desire

long may she reign

may the best man win

3

—used to express purpose

we exercise so that we may be strong

or possibility of happening

he'll do his duty come what may

May

2 of 2 noun

ˈmā 

: the fifth month of the year

Etymology

Noun

from Middle English May (fifth month), from early French mai (same meaning), from Latin Maius, originally, "third month," from Maia "Roman goddess of spring"

Word Origin

Among the gods and goddesses worshipped by the ancient Romans was one known as Maia, a goddess of spring. In spring the Romans would make offerings to her on the first day of a month they called Maius, meaning "of Maia." The name of the Roman month was borrowed into early French as mai and later into English as May. For the early Romans Maius was the third month of the year; but after January and February were added, May became the fifth month.

Biographical Definition

May

biographical name

ˈmā 

Theresa (Mary) 1956–     née Theresa Mary Brasier British prime minister (2016–2019)