perhaps
puh-HAPS
Perhaps (adv) means Possibly; maybe. Example: “Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to decide.”
adv
1
Possibly; maybe.
"There was a perhaps credible witness."
"He was seriously wounded, perhaps fatally."
"Perhaps John will come over for dinner."
"Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to decide."
"Perhaps she just forgot to reply."
"We could take the train instead, or perhaps borrow Dad's car."
How to use perhaps
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA softer way of saying "maybe", often used to make a suggestion sound more polite.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
perhaps because
perhaps not
perhaps we should
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Word forms
- Plural
- perhapses
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_____ we should wait until tomorrow to decide.
Etymology
From Middle English perhappes, formed from "per" plus "hap" ("chance") and the adverbial suffix "-s".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “perhaps” mean?
The word “perhaps” means possibly; maybe. In plain terms, a softer way of saying "maybe", often used to make a suggestion sound more polite.
How do you pronounce “perhaps”?
“Perhaps” is pronounced puh-HAPS (/pɚˈhæps/ in IPA).
How do you use “perhaps” in a sentence?
Here is “perhaps” used in a sentence: “Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to decide.”
What is another word for “perhaps”?
Words with a similar meaning to “perhaps” include bechance, belike, maybe, mayhap, mayhaps and peradventure.
What part of speech is “perhaps”?
“Perhaps” is an adverb.
Where does the word “perhaps” come from?
The word “perhaps” comes from Middle English. From Middle English perhappes, formed from "per" plus "hap" ("chance") and the adverbial suffix "-s".
Is “perhaps” a common word?
“Perhaps” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between perhaps and maybe?
The two mean almost the same thing and can usually be swapped without changing the sense. The difference is tone: perhaps sounds a little more formal, polite or considered, and is common in writing, while maybe is more casual and relaxed, and turns up more often in everyday speech.
Is perhaps formal or informal?
Perhaps sits on the more formal side. It is perfectly at home in essays, business writing and polite conversation, where it can gently soften a statement or suggestion. It is not stiff or old-fashioned, though; it remains a common, natural word that fits comfortably in almost any context.
How do you use perhaps in a sentence?
Perhaps usually introduces a possibility or a tentative suggestion. You might say 'Perhaps it will rain later', or 'Perhaps we should leave now'. It often opens a sentence, but it can also sit in the middle, as in 'The answer is perhaps simpler than it looks'.
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