may
may
May (verb) means used to say that something is possible or might happen. Example: “It may rain later, so bring an umbrella.”
verb
1
Used to say that something is possible or might happen.
"It may rain later, so bring an umbrella."
"She may already know about the surprise party."
"The shop may be closed, so let's phone before we go."
2
Used to politely ask for or give permission.
"May I borrow your pen for a moment?"
"You may leave the table once you have finished your dinner."
"May we sit here, or is this seat taken?"
3
Used to express a wish or hope.
"May you both have a long and happy life together."
"May your journey be safe and full of pleasant surprises."
"May the new year bring you good health and plenty of laughter."
name
1
The fifth month of the year, between April and June.
"Their wedding is set for the second Saturday in May."
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.
Common mistake
"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.
Common pairings
may or may not
if I may
may as well
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Word forms
- Plural
- mays
- Third person singular
- mays
- Past tense
- might, mayed
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
View more →Related words
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. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Coffee contains numerous naturally occurring compounds, some of which may influence inflammation, liver scarring, and other biological processes involved in liver disease.
From
ScienceDaily · Jul 25, 2026
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