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

But perhaps his replacement will be afforded more time to tackle challenges that were never going to be fixed overnight. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

For most New Yorkers looking to savor the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years, a commemorative T-shirt—perhaps purchased bootleg outside Madison Square Garden—will have to do. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 June 2026

Or perhaps these clusters were simply massive enough to retain some molecular gas for future stellar generations. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 June 2026

The former is built to work with multiple wealthy families, with each advisor serving perhaps five to 10 families, said Matt Zampariolo, a wealth management research analyst at Cerulli. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 22 June 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