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may

may

1.0
To show that something is allowed, possible or wished for
  • auxiliary
  • /meɪ/
translation icon : puede
  • May all your wishes come true this year.

Examples

  • May I borrow your pen?

  • It may rain later, so bring an umbrella just in case.

  • You may leave the classroom when you finish your work.

  • You may leave now.

  • You may leave the classroom when you finish your work.

  • It may rain later, so bring an umbrella just in case.

  • May all your wishes come true this year.

Idioms

21 7.6

Even if that is true, it does not change what happens next

To accept what happens and not try to change the result

come what may
  • Literature
5 6.3

No matter what happens

7.9

Whatever is true, it does not change what happens next

7.2

By chance something happens, often in a good or bad way

Hard times can lead to better things later

A wish that a dead man finds peace after death

A wish of good luck people say to encourage someone, often playfully

To wish someone good luck when the result depends on chance

A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt

Phrasal Verbs

To do something because there is no better choice

Compounds

8 3.3

A festival on May 1 that celebrates the start of summer and workers' rights

7 1.0

The first day of May that many countries celebrate as a spring festival or a workers' holiday

devil-may-care
  • Informal
4 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

May 24
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A day when people celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on 24 May

1 3.8

A holiday on 1 May that celebrates spring festivals and workers

1 8.8

A girl chosen to lead a May Day festival and represent spring

1 9.6

A girl chosen to lead May Day celebrations wearing a crown of flowers

Cape May warbler
  • Specialized
9.4

A small North American bird with yellow and olive-green feathers and black streaks

A Palestinian armed group active in the late 1970s and early 1980s

May apple
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American plant with large umbrella leaves, a poisonous root, and an edible yellow fruit

7.2

A large beetle that appears in late spring whose larvae eat plant roots and can damage lawns

9.9

A plant with bright yellow flowers like buttercups that grows in wet places

May bug
  • UK
7.5

A large brown beetle that appears in late spring and whose young eat plant roots

May 35th
  • Informal
9.9

A fake date people use to mean something will never happen

9.8

A small yellow fruit that is edible but has a mild taste

9.9

A fish with black bars found in shallow bays and marshes along the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts

9.9

A low plant with two long leaves, small sweet-smelling bell flowers and red berries

7.9

A sweet spring punch made from white wine, sugar, and a sweet herb

1.0

The middle of May

How Likely

must
6 1.0
will
1.0
could
1.0
may
1.0

Surface Forms

may infinitive
might past

Etymology

May comes from an old German word magan that meant 'to be able'. Like can or might, may shows permission, possibility, or a wish, so its origin helps explain why we use it to allow things, to say something might happen, or to express a hope.