maybeとは意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From an ellipsis of it may be, equivalent to may +‎ be. Compare mayhap.

発音

• (英国発音, 米国発音) enPR: mā'bē, IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪbi/, [ˈmeɪ̯bi]
• 韻: -eɪbi

副詞

maybe (not comparable)

1. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty: it may be (that)...

   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 または a neutral viewpoint to a statement).
   • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

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

3. (UK, meiosis) Certainly.

   Maybe not the best idea.

使用する際の注意点

• Do not confuse maybe with the verb construction may be: "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true".

同意語

• (perhaps): mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly
• (as a pro-sentence): could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possible

派生語

• and I don't mean maybe

形容詞

maybe (comparative more maybe, superlative most maybe)

1. Possible; uncertain.
   • 1687, John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther, part III line 294

     Then add those may-be years thou hast to live

名詞

maybe (複数形 maybes)

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.