What does “maybe” mean?
- 1
adverbused to show that something is possible but you are not sure
Maybe we can meet next week instead.
- 2
adverbused to make a suggestion sound softer and more polite
Maybe you should call her first.
Maybe at a glance
- Part of speech
- adverb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈmeɪbi/ · MAY-bee
How to use “maybe” correctly
“Maybe” (one word) is an adverb; “may be” (two words) is a verb: “Maybe he’s tired” = “He may be tired.”
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- perhaps
- possibly
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- definitely
- certainly
“maybe” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- agree verbA1to have the same opinion as someone
- believe verbA1to think that something is true
- certainly adverbA2without any doubt
- choose verbA1to decide which one you want from a group of things or people
- forget verbA1to not remember something
- idea nounA1a thought or plan about what to do
- important adjectiveA1having great value, effect or meaning
- know verbA1to have information about something in your mind