may

1 of 3

auxiliary verb

ˈmā 

past might ˈmīt  ; present singular and plural may

1

a

—used to indicate possibility or probability

you may be right

things you may need

—sometimes used interchangeably with can

one of those slipups that may happen from time to time

—Jessica Mitford

—sometimes used where might would be expected

you may think from a little distance that the country was solid woods

—Robert Frost

b

: have permission to

you may go now

: be free to

a rug on which children may sprawl

—C. E. Silberman

—used nearly interchangeably with can

c

archaic : have the ability to

2

—used in auxiliary function expressing purpose or expectation

I laugh that I may not weep

or contingency

she'll do her duty come what may

or concession

he may be slow but he is thorough

or choice

the angler may catch them with a dip net, or he may cast a large, bare treble hook

—Nelson Bryant

3

—used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire especially in prayer, imprecation, or benediction

may the best man win

4

: shall, must

—used in law where the sense, purpose, or policy requires this interpretation

Can vs. May: Usage Guide

Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

may

2 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmā 

archaic

: maiden

May

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈmā 

1

: the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar

2

often not capitalized : the early vigorous blooming part of human life : prime

3

: the festivities of May Day

4

not capitalized

a

: green or flowering branches used for May Day decorations

b

: a plant that yields may: such as

(1)

: hawthorn

(2)

: a spring-flowering spirea

Examples of may in a Sentence

Noun (2)

Shakespeare called it “the merry month of May.”

The last two Mays have been cold and rainy.

Word History

Etymology

Auxiliary verb

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mǣg kinsman, kinswoman, maiden

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French mai, from Latin Maius, from Maia, Roman goddess

First Known Use

Auxiliary Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing may

• be that as it may
• come what may
• devil-may-care
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• let the chips fall where they may
• may I just say
• might/may as well
• whatever the case (may be)
• wherever that may be

Kids Definition

may

1 of 2 helping verb

(ˈ)mā

past might

(ˈ)mīt

; present singular & plural may

1

a

: have permission to

you may go now

b

: be in some degree likely to

you may be right

2

—used to express a wish or desire

long may she reign

may the best man win

3

—used to express purpose

we exercise so that we may be strong

or possibility of happening

he'll do his duty come what may

May

2 of 2 noun

ˈmā 

: the fifth month of the year

Etymology

Noun

from Middle English May (fifth month), from early French mai (same meaning), from Latin Maius, originally, "third month," from Maia "Roman goddess of spring"

Word Origin

Among the gods and goddesses worshipped by the ancient Romans was one known as Maia, a goddess of spring. In spring the Romans would make offerings to her on the first day of a month they called Maius, meaning "of Maia." The name of the Roman month was borrowed into early French as mai and later into English as May. For the early Romans Maius was the third month of the year; but after January and February were added, May became the fifth month.

Biographical Definition

May

biographical name

ˈmā 

Theresa (Mary) 1956–     née Theresa Mary Brasier British prime minister (2016–2019)