rhizoverbBeta
Dictionarymaybe
adverb

maybe

Perhaps; possibly.

Maybe the keys are in your other coat pocket.

Etymology
mayEnglishis possible
+beEnglishto exist

Maybe combines the phrase may be into one adverb. It retains the phrase’s uncertainty, indicating that the stated situation is possible.

More examples

  • Maybe we should take a different route.
  • She looks familiar; maybe she works at the library.
  • The repair costs maybe fifty dollars.

Similar words

perhaps
Means the same thing but often sounds slightly more formal.
possibly
Stresses possibility and can appear within a verb phrase.