may

1 of 3

auxiliary verb

past might ˈmīt How to pronounce may (audio) ; 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 timeJessica Mitford
sometimes used where might would be expected
you may think from a little distance that the country was solid woodsRobert Frost
b
: have permission to
you may go now
: be free to
a rug on which children may sprawlC. 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 hookNelson 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 denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators 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)

archaic
: maiden

May

3 of 3

noun (2)

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)
(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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of may was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near may

Cite this Entry

“May.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/may. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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
: 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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on may

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!