maybe

/'meIbi/ adverb (sentence adverb)

1 used like 'perhaps' to say that something may happen or may be true but you are not certain: "Do you think he'll come back?" "Maybe." | Maybe I was wrong about Karen; I don't know. | He said he'd finish the work soon - maybe tomorrow.

2 used to show that you are not sure of an amount or number: There were three, maybe four hundred people at the concert.

3 used to make a suggestion you are not quite sure about: We thought maybe we should lower the price we were asking for our house.

4 used when politely asking someone to do something or offering to help them: Maybe you could help me tidy the livingroom.

5 spoken used to reply to a suggestion or idea when either you are not sure if you agree with it, or you do not want to say `yes' or `no': "I think Sheila would be an excellent managing director." "Maybe." | "Well, are you going to take the job or not?" "Maybe ..."

6 maybe ... but spoken used to agree with someone but say that there are also other facts to be considered: "Mike should rent his own apartment and get away from home." "Maybe, but where would he get the money from?"

USAGE NOTE: MAYBE FORMALITY Maybe and perhaps mean the same thing, but maybe is more informal. To a friend you might say or write: I'll maybe see you in August . To someone you do not know well you might say: Perhaps we could meet next week . When you write a report or story you might put: New York is perhaps the most interesting city in the US. In a speech you might say: Perhaps in closing I could just thank everyone for coming, but it would be less formal to say Maybe... SPELLING Maybe is always spelt as one word when it means `perhaps': Maybe it'll be fun . Compare It may be fun.