perhapsper‧haps /pəˈhæps, præps $ pər-, præps/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Perhaps she’s next door. Perhaps it will snow tomorrow. It won’t take so long next time, perhaps. ‘I don’t think you understand.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use may or might rather than use perhaps it/she/they etc will:· It might snow tomorrow.2used to give your opinion, when you do not want to be too definite SYN maybe: This is perhaps her finest novel yet. The industrial revolution was, perhaps, the most important event in history.3used to say that a number is only a guess SYN maybe: The room was large, perhaps 20 feet square. Perhaps 200 people were there.4spoken used to politely ask or suggest something, or say what you are going to do SYN maybe: I thought perhaps we’d have lunch in the garden.
WORD ORIGINperhaps
Origin:
1400-1500 per + haps, plural of hap ‘chance’ (13-20 centuries) ( ➔ HAPPY)EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Perhaps I could transfer you to our customer service department.
- Perhaps it'll be warmer tomorrow.
- Perhaps their biggest problem is that they don't have enough to do.
- I wonder if perhaps I offended him somehow.
- It was a big space, perhaps 60 by 80 feet.
- This has been planned for weeks. Perhaps you can change the other meeting.
- But perhaps we can waive our definitions and come to an understanding on the basis of an adjustment in the rent.
- If conscience can not turn the tide, perhaps it is the panic of self-interest which will finally do the job.
- It was perhaps unfortunate that in verbal controversy with T. H. Huxley he was less careful.
- Or perhaps you can redirect already capable people.
- Seen at the level of individual choices there is perhaps nothing remarkable about this shift from fringe to mainstream.
- The problem can perhaps be addressed from the standpoint of theory.
- Well, perhaps it will and perhaps it won't.
Longman Language Activatormaterial for making clothes, curtains etc
use this when you think that something may happen or may be true, but you are not sure. Perhaps is more formal than maybe .: · "Will you be there tomorrow?" "I don't know, maybe."· I wonder why she's late - maybe she missed the train.· The footprints belonged to a large cat, a tiger, perhaps.· I'm not sure why I couldn't sleep. Perhaps it was the coffee.maybe not/perhaps not: · "It's not her fault that she can't get a job." "Well, maybe not, but she should make a little more effort."· Housing prices will continue to rise, though perhaps not as much as was predicted last year.
use this with other verbs, to show that something is possible, or likely, but you are not sure about it. May and might are more formal than could: · Take your umbrella -- it might rain.· Hundreds of workers may lose their jobs if the strike continues.· We could be home before midnight if the traffic isn't too bad.may/might/could have done something: · "Bruce isn't here yet." "He may have decided not to come."· It's a good thing we got her to the hospital right away -- the doctor said she could have died if we'd waited.
use this when you think that something may happen or may be done, but that it is not very likely: · I might have to work on Saturday, so it's possible I won't be able to come to your party.· There's a chance that I'll be in California in October, so I might be able to visit you for a few days.it is just possible (that)/there is just a chance (that) (=when something is possible, but very unlikely): · Tomorrow should be sunny but there's just a chance of showers in the afternoon.· It's just possible we'll finish the job by tonight, but it'll probably be tomorrow.outside chance/possibility: · Martinez will need surgery, but there's an outside chance he'll be playing again before the end of the season.slim chance/possibility: · Sims has some numbness and weakness in her legs, and surgeons say there is a slim possibility of paralysis.
use this when you think that something may be true, but you do not have enough information to be sure: · "Do you think she was murdered, inspector?" "Possibly."· He's playing in the US Open Golf Championships - possibly for the last time.· Stone is possibly America's finest film director.· The cancer was possibly caused by exposure to asbestos.· Trade between the two countries began in the 11th century, possibly even earlier.· Many analysts believe interest rates will rise, possibly as early as next spring.quite possibly (=very possibly): · The examination hall was vast, with at least 700 or 800 students and quite possibly as many as 1000.
if you think something may conceivably happen or be true, it seems unlikely but you can imagine that it is possible: · Reservations are advised but you might conceivably find a hotel the day you arrive.· It is still unlikely, but unemployment could conceivably begin to fall by the end of the year.
spoken say this when you are not sure whether something will happen, because no one knows what will happen in the future: · I don't think I'll ever get married, but you never know.· Why don't you ask for a raise? You never know, they could say yes.
spoken say this when you have no way of knowing whether something is true or not true: · "Will you still be working here next year?" "Who knows? Maybe I will, maybe I won't."· Maybe he wasn't telling the truth. Who knows?
what you say to suggest something use this to suggest something politely, especially when you think someone may be making a mistake: · Can I make a suggestion? Try adding a little more flour.· May I make a suggestion? I think we should stop and look at the map.
spoken use this for formally suggesting something that you think should be done, especially at a meeting: · I propose that we continue this meeting tomorrow.
informal say this when you think it would be a good idea to do something: · Why don't you wait for me downstairs? I won't be long.· If David wants someone to go with him, why doesn't he ask Jacky? I'm sure she'd enjoy it.· Why don't we go watch a movie tonight?
informal use this to suggest something or offer something: · "How about a brandy?'' said Tom.· What about going out for lunch one day next week? When are you free?
spoken use this to suggest something in a gentle way: · Maybe we should try again tomorrow.· Perhaps you ought to introduce her to my son. They should get on well.
: let's go/have/do etc use this when you want to suggest something that you and the people you are with should do: · Come on, let's dance.· We both need a break. Let's go away for the weekend.let's not: · Let's not argue on our anniversary.don't let's (British): · Come on, don't let's waste any more time here.
use this to suggest something that is not very interesting or exciting, when you do not have any better ideas: · It's too late to go to the movies so we may as well watch TV.· I think we might as well buy this one. We're not going to find anything cheaper.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY ‘I don’t think you understand.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’
1used to say that something may be true, but you are not sure SYN maybe: ‘I don’t think you understand.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’ Perhaps she’s next door. Perhaps it will snow tomorrow. It won’t take so long next time, perhaps. ‘I don’t think you understand.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use may or might rather than use perhaps it/she/they etc will:· It might snow tomorrow.2used to give your opinion, when you do not want to be too definite SYN maybe: This is perhaps her finest novel yet. The industrial revolution was, perhaps, the most important event in history.3used to say that a number is only a guess SYN maybe: The room was large, perhaps 20 feet square. Perhaps 200 people were there.4spoken used to politely ask or suggest something, or say what you are going to do SYN maybe: I thought perhaps we’d have lunch in the garden.