transcription, транскрипция: [ meɪbi ]
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You use maybe to express uncertainty, for example when you do not know that something is definitely true, or when you are mentioning something that may possibly happen in the future in the way you describe.
Maybe she is in love...
I do think about having children, maybe when I’m 40...
= perhaps
ADV : ADV with cl / group [ vagueness ]
2.
You use maybe when you are making suggestions or giving advice. Maybe is also used to introduce polite requests.
Maybe we can go to the movies or something...
Wait a while, maybe a few days.
= perhaps
ADV : ADV with cl / group [ politeness ]
3.
You use maybe to indicate that, although a comment is partly true, there is also another point of view that should be considered.
Maybe there is jealousy, but I think the envy is more powerful...
= perhaps
ADV : ADV cl
4.
You can say maybe as a response to a question or remark, when you do not want to agree or disagree.
‘Is she coming back?’—‘Maybe. No one hears from her.’
= perhaps
ADV : ADV as reply
5.
You use maybe when you are making a rough guess at a number, quantity, or value, rather than stating it exactly.
The men were maybe a hundred feet away and coming closer.
= about
ADV : ADV amount [ vagueness ]
6.
People use maybe to mean ‘sometimes’, particularly in a series of general statements about what someone does, or about something that regularly happens.
They’ll come to the bar for a year, or maybe even two, then they’ll find another favourite spot.
ADV : ADV with cl / group