may1
/meɪ
/- This may well be true and look at the hatred that it has generated in most Western countries.
- That may well be true of course, though few have ever stated it so bluntly.
- That indeed may well be true but rather than finessing this issue it should surely be addressing it head on.
- They may not seem important at the time but, trust me, one day they could be more vital than a very vital thing indeed.
- It may be deeply important to some people but it is essentially a part of life, it doesn't govern our lives.
- It may not have felt like it, and he may not have admitted to it, but Johnson was a pioneering force.
- The club now says his identity may not be revealed until the end of the month, but insist the deal is still on.
- Of course there is a right of appeal, which in some cases may not be exercised without prior permission.
- None of the text or images from this site may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.
- I am writing in the hope you may be able to help me with family history research.
- It is hoped the British submersible may be able to cut the submarine loose once raised to a suitable depth.
- Her husband paid tribute to her as a loving family woman and hopes she may rest in the peace of God.
Usage
Traditionalists insist that one should distinguish between may (present tense) and might (past tense) in expressing possibility: I may have some dessert if I’m still hungry; she might have known her killer. However, this distinction is rarely observed today, and may and might are generally acceptable in either case: she may have visited yesterday; I might go and have a cup of tea.On the difference in use between may and can, see can1 (usage).
Phrases
be that as it may
may as well
that is as may be
Origin
Old English mæg, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning 'have power'; related to Dutch mogen and German mögen, also to main1 and might2.
Rhymes
may2
/meɪ/Origin
Late Middle English: from May.
May3
/meɪ/- Tour operators with summer programmes always struggle to fill the months of May and June.
- It is going to give us a good starting point for the month of May but we still have a lot of work to do as does everyone else.
- I feel the month of May is the most delightful time to be out and about on the river.
Origin
Late Old English, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (mensis) '(month) of the goddess Maia'.
Maia was one of the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas in Greek mythology. In Roman mythology she came to be identified with Maia Majesta, a goddess of fertility and of the spring, who is said to have given her name to the month of May. Since the late Middle Ages may has also been a name for hawthorn blossom or the hawthorn, which in Britain typically flowers in May. Many people believe that the proverb warning us not to leave off old or warm clothes until the end of May, ne'er cast a clout till May be out, refers to hawthorn blossom, but the first recorded example makes it clear that the word applies to the month. May Day has been known since the 13th century as a time for springtime festivities and the election of a pretty girl as May queen or Queen of the May to preside over them. In some countries it is now a holiday in honour of working people. The international radio distress signal Mayday is a representation of French m'aider, short for venez m'aider ‘come and help me’.