may
May (verb) means used to say that something is possible or might happen. Example: “It may rain later, so bring an umbrella.”
How to Use May
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA word for saying something is possible, or for politely asking or giving permission; also the name of the fifth month.
"May I" is the more formal/polite way to ask permission; "can I" is common in casual speech but strictly refers to ability rather than permission.
Word Forms
might past tense, mayed past tense, mays plural, Mays plural, Mays plural, may singular, mays singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
It _____ rain later, so bring an umbrella.
Etymology
From Old English magan ("to be able"), the same ancient root behind "might" — the month name May comes from a separate Latin source, Maius.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for may
See all rhymes for may →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “may” mean?
The word “may” means used to say that something is possible or might happen. In plain terms, a word for saying something is possible, or for politely asking or giving permission; also the name of the fifth month.
How do you pronounce “may”?
“May” is pronounced may (/meɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “may” in a sentence?
Here is “may” used in a sentence: “It may rain later, so bring an umbrella.”
What part of speech is “may”?
Depending on how it is used, “may” can be a verb and a name.
Where does the word “may” come from?
The word “may” comes from Latin. From Old English magan ("to be able"), the same ancient root behind "might" — the month name May comes from a separate Latin source, Maius.
Is “may” a common word?
“May” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “may” have?
“May” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to say that something is possible or might happen.
What is the difference between may and might?
Both express possibility, and often either works. May suggests a slightly stronger or more open possibility — 'It may rain later.' Might feels a shade more tentative or hypothetical — 'It might rain, but I doubt it.' In careful writing, might is also preferred for unreal or past situations.
What is the difference between may and can?
In the possibility sense they overlap — 'This may happen' or 'This can happen.' The classic distinction is about permission: may is the more formal, polite choice ('May I leave?'), while can is casual and also covers ability ('I can swim'). Teachers often insist on may for asking permission in formal settings.
Is may formal or informal?
May leans formal and polite, especially when asking or granting permission — 'May I help you?' In everyday speech people often reach for can or might instead. For expressing possibility, may is perfectly natural in neutral and formal writing, though it can sound slightly elevated in very casual conversation.
What is an example of 'may'?
May shows something is possible: 'We may go to the coast this weekend,' 'Prices may rise next year,' or 'She may already know.' In each case the outcome is not certain — may signals that it could happen without promising that it will.
Example Sentences
Real-world examples showing may in context, drawn from published sources.
Coffee contains numerous naturally occurring compounds, some of which may influence inflammation, liver scarring, and other biological processes involved in liver disease.
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