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IELTS BNC: 83 COCA: 119

may

1 of 3

auxiliary verb

ˈmā How to pronounce may (audio)
past might ˈmīt How to pronounce may (audio) ; present singular and plural may
1
a
—used to indicate possibility or probability
you may be rightthings 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 How to pronounce may (audio)
archaic
: maiden

May

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈmā How to pronounce May (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of may was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing may

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