may

may · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Expressing possibility or likelihood.

  2. 2.

    Asking for or giving permission (more formal than "can").

  3. 3.

    Expressing a wish or hope.

  4. 4.

    Expressing purpose or result in clauses.

  5. 5.

    (concessive) Despite the fact that; although.

  6. 6.

    The fifth month of the year.

Related words

Antonyms: cannot, must not
See also: can, could, might
Synonyms: can, could, might

Etymology

From Old English "magan" meaning "to be able, have power." Related to German "mogen" and Dutch "mogen." The modal verb is distinct from the proper noun May (the month), which comes from Latin "Maius," named after the goddess Maia.