Definition of "maybe" in English

adverb

1. Perhaps, possibly.

   • A small extra effort now can maybe save you much work later.
   • Maybe I was imagining it, but I could swear that the dog understood what I was saying.

2. (as a pro-sentence) Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).

   • Okay. See you later, maybe. — Maybe I’ll see you later.

3. (UK, meiosis) Certainly.

   • Maybe not the best idea.

adjective

1. Possible; uncertain.

noun

1. (informal) Something that is possibly true.

2. (informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.

   • The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes.

3. (informal) A future event that may or may not happen.

   • About your raise: it's a big maybe.