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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
may1 auxiliary verb (past tense might) 1 used to express permission • You may go now. 2 (sometimes may well) used to express a possibility • I may come with you if I get this finished. 3 used to express an offer • May I help you? 4 formal used to express a wish • May you prosper! 5 formal & old use used to express purpose or result • Listen, so that you may learn. 6 affected, old use or facetious used to express a question • And who may you be? 7 used to express the idea of 'although' • You may be rich, but you're not happy. See also might1. be that as it may in spite of that. come what may whatever happens. may I add used to introduce an additional point. may I ask often ironic used before or after a question. That's as may be That may be so.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon mæg, present tense of magan to be able.
may See Usage Note at can1. |
may1 auxiliary verb (past tense might) 1 used to express permission • You may go now. 2 (sometimes may well) used to express a possibility • I may come with you if I get this finished. 3 used to express an offer • May I help you? 4 formal used to express a wish • May you prosper! 5 formal & old use used to express purpose or result • Listen, so that you may learn. 6 affected, old use or facetious used to express a question • And who may you be? 7 used to express the idea of 'although' • You may be rich, but you're not happy. See also might1. be that as it may in spite of that. come what may whatever happens. may I add used to introduce an additional point. may I ask often ironic used before or after a question. That's as may be That may be so.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon mæg, present tense of magan to be able.
may See Usage Note at can1. |
may1 auxiliary verb (past tense might) 1 used to express permission • You may go now. 2 (sometimes may well) used to express a possibility • I may come with you if I get this finished. 3 used to express an offer • May I help you? 4 formal used to express a wish • May you prosper! 5 formal & old use used to express purpose or result • Listen, so that you may learn. 6 affected, old use or facetious used to express a question • And who may you be? 7 used to express the idea of 'although' • You may be rich, but you're not happy. See also might1. be that as it may in spite of that. come what may whatever happens. may I add used to introduce an additional point. may I ask often ironic used before or after a question. That's as may be That may be so.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon mæg, present tense of magan to be able.
may See Usage Note at can1. |
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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