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

Tuchel, perhaps understandably, wants to see the positive side. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026

For those truly struggling with the emotional toll of the game, consider taking a page from Argentina, a country whose love of soccer is perhaps only rivaled by its passion for psychoanalysis. — Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

To appreciate Argentina’s captain in Sunday’s match against Spain—perhaps his last World Cup appearance—watch him without the ball. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

That’s because, perhaps taking a cue from the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup final will feature its very own halftime show. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 July 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