maybemay‧be /ˈmeɪbi/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb [sentence adverb] 
Maybe it’s all just a big misunderstanding. ‘Do you think he’ll come back?’ ‘Maybe.’ Maybe they’re right, but maybe not. You have talent, maybe even genius. He said he’d finish the work soon – maybe tomorrow.RegisterIn written English, people often prefer to use perhaps, because it is slightly more formal than maybe:· Perhaps this explains why the figure is so high.2spoken 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 manager.’ ‘Maybe.’3used to show that you are not sure of an amount or number: The problems really started maybe two or three years ago. He looked like he was thirty, maybe thirty-five years old.4 spoken used to make a suggestion you are not quite sure about: If the bill doesn’t seem right, maybe you should give them a call. Maybe I can ride the bicycle and follow you.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Maybe I'll buy myself a new dress.
- Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
- Maybe you should hire a bodyguard.
- I thought maybe you could give Eddy's mom a call for me.
- Kovitsky earned maybe $45,000, after taxes.
- And then maybe do the Leeds Salute to the crowd.
- But it came to an end because of greed, or maybe over-altruism.
- From somewhere she could hear a lecturer droning; maybe it needed speeding up a little.
- I would work for one of the major charities, perhaps, or maybe go for a job in publishing.
- Or maybe we should hold out for a bid from Big Oil.
- The machines made a factory din, like a stamping plant maybe.
- They may have measurable standards, some priorities and maybe even benchmarks and deadlines.
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 Maybe they’re right, but maybe not. You have talent, maybe even genius.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
1used to say that something may happen or may be true but you are not certain SYN perhaps: Maybe they’re right, but maybe not. You have talent, maybe even genius.· Soon you would have enough to own two boats... maybe even a fleet of boats.· Maybe even some ex-lovers, but not this one.· Could be a relative though, he adds, or maybe even his father.· From my perspective as an adult, they were rather gentle people, maybe even meek.· Some have felt they were all the same, maybe even the Apostle John.· One, two, maybe even enough for a whole afternoon or evening out?· Maybe even in the same bed!· Yes, we get lots of snow here, maybe even more than in Manitoba.
· But now when I think about it, I think maybe I wouldn't.· We thought maybe our worst nightmare came true.· And then I thought maybe I'd been expecting too much.· I thought maybe it was okay, even though he had spent so little time.· After a while your pulse rate slows and you come to think maybe these ordinary law-abiding folks ain't zombies after all.· I think maybe he didn't share some of their more extreme views.· I thought maybe I could move once I finished up at Loyola.
Maybe it’s all just a big misunderstanding. ‘Do you think he’ll come back?’ ‘Maybe.’ Maybe they’re right, but maybe not. You have talent, maybe even genius. He said he’d finish the work soon – maybe tomorrow.RegisterIn written English, people often prefer to use perhaps, because it is slightly more formal than maybe:· Perhaps this explains why the figure is so high.2spoken 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 manager.’ ‘Maybe.’3used to show that you are not sure of an amount or number: The problems really started maybe two or three years ago. He looked like he was thirty, maybe thirty-five years old.4 spoken used to make a suggestion you are not quite sure about: If the bill doesn’t seem right, maybe you should give them a call. Maybe I can ride the bicycle and follow you.