maybe

1 of 2

adverb

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

maybe

2 of 2

noun

Examples of maybe in a Sentence

Adverb maybe we can make it to the concert, if we hurry
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adverb
By pairing Eilish with Cameron in all the marketing, the hope was maybe that the film would appeal not just to concert fans but to more casual film fans who know Cameron can deliver a spectacle. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 May 2026 That means the reigning champions — maybe back-to-back champions by draft time — will get even better. Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Noun
The Browns have a win-now defense and a bunch of maybes on the offensive side. Zac Jackson, New York Times, 5 May 2026 But a sleight of hand is at work; the maybes of one chapter become the assumptions of the next, and at times contrary evidence is entirely ignored. Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maybe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maybe. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

maybe

adverb
may·​be
ˈmā-bē
ˈmeb-ē

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