maybe

1 of 2

adverb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
And maybe that’s why Billups’ look in court was so haunting on Thursday. Jason Quick, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 Barring a late season storm, Duarte and Palazon expect the prices to hold steady, maybe even drop a little, as the first-month fever and novelty dies down. Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
But that's a lot of maybes in what, at the heart of it, is a pretty straightforward test. Chris Haslam, Wired News, 30 Sep. 2025 But with 95 games remaining, their season hinges on a disconcerting number of maybes. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 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 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

maybe

adverb
may·​be
ˈmā-bē,
ˈmeb-ē

More from Merriam-Webster on maybe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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