May: meaning, definitions and examples

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may

[ meɪ ]

^{Context #1}

for permission

used to express possibility or permission

Synonyms

could, might

Examples of usage

I may go to the party tonight.
You may leave the room.

^{Context #2}

possibility

expressing a stronger possibility than 'might'

Synonyms

could, might

Examples of usage

She may have already left by now.
It may rain later.

^{Context #3}

possibility

expressing a possibility or likelihood of something happening

Synonyms

could, might

Examples of usage

It may rain tomorrow.
They may not come to the event.

Translations

Translations of the word "may" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pode

🇮🇳 सकना

🇩🇪 kann

🇮🇩 dapat

🇺🇦 може

🇵🇱 może

🇯🇵 できる (dekiru)

🇫🇷 peut

🇪🇸 puede

🇹🇷 olabilir

🇰🇷 할 수 있다 (hal su itda)

🇸🇦 قد

🇨🇿 může

🇸🇰 môže

🇨🇳 可以 (kěyǐ)

🇸🇮 lahko

🇮🇸 getur

🇰🇿 мүмкін

🇬🇪 შეიძლება

🇦🇿 bilər

🇲🇽 puede

Word origin

The word 'may' originated from the Old English word 'mæg', meaning 'am able'. Over time, its meaning evolved to express possibility or permission in Modern English.