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mayhaps

mayhaps

9.9
Said when you are not sure about something, often in old-fashioned language
  • adverb
  • /meɪhæps/
  • Archaic
translation icon : quizás
  • Mayhaps we should reconsider our options.

Examples

  • We will, mayhaps, see a change in the weather soon.

  • He spoke in riddles, saying, 'mayhaps the answer lies within your heart.'

  • Mayhaps we shall meet again someday, when the time is right.

  • The old book whispered secrets, and mayhaps some truths were hidden in its pages.

  • Mayhaps we should reconsider our options for this event, as things are changing.

  • He pondered for a moment, thinking, 'mayhaps there is a better way to approach this.'

  • Mayhaps the weather will improve tomorrow, but only time will tell.

Synonyms

maybe
vsmayhaps
1.0

It might happen or be true

is more archaic and literary than this casual spoken form
probably
vsmayhaps
1.0

Likely to happen or be true but not certain

shows weaker uncertainty and less confidence than this word
perhaps
vsmayhaps
1.0

To say something might be true

is the old fashioned literary variant rather than the neutral modern form
possibly
vsmayhaps
1.0

May happen or be true and sometimes makes a request more polite

is similar but carries an old fashioned or literary feeling
to I dare say
vsmayhaps
  • UK
43 6.5

Said, often politely, to show you think something is likely to be true

expresses mere possibility rather than a polite likely opinion
mayhap
vsmayhaps
  • Archaic
9.9

People use it to say maybe in old or poetic language

is used the same way but feels especially old fashioned
percase
vsmayhaps
  • Archaic
9.9

To show that something might happen

is used the same way but is more clearly marked as archaic

Antonyms

1.0

Showing that something is true or will happen without any doubt

How Certain

definitely
1.0
probably
1.0
mayhaps
  • Archaic
9.9
possibly
1.0
conceivably
41 5.3

Surface Forms

mayhaps positive

Morphology

mayhaps = mayhap (semi-transparent) = may + hap + s

The base 'mayhap' is formed from 'may' + 'hap' and yields the meaning 'perhaps', but 'hap' is archaic and unfamiliar to most learners, so the added -s does not make the meaning fully transparent.

Etymology

Mayhaps comes from the old parts may ('might') and hap ('chance'), so it originally meant 'may happen by chance'. That's why mayhaps is an old-fashioned way to say 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.