Dictionary
1may
verbal auxiliary \ˈmā\
past might \ˈmīt\ present singular & plural may
Definition of MAY
1
a archaic : have the ability to 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 —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>
2
—used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire especially in prayer, imprecation, or benediction <may the best man win>
3
—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>
Usage Discussion of MAY
Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in senses 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.
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Origin of MAY
Middle English (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3d singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient
First Known Use: before 12th century
Rhymes with MAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2may
noun \ˈmā\
Definition of MAY
archaic : maiden
Origin of MAY
Middle English, from Old English mǣg kinsman, kinswoman, maiden
First Known Use: before 12th century
May
noun \ˈmā\
: the fifth month of the year
Full Definition of MAY
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: as (1) : hawthorn (2) : a spring-flowering spirea
See May defined for English-language learners
See May defined for kids
Origin of MAY
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French mai, from Latin Maius, from Maia, Roman goddess
First Known Use: 12th century
Other Calendar Terms
Rhymes with MAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
MAY Defined for Kids
may
helping verb \ˈmā\
past might \ˈmīt\ present singular and plural may
Definition of MAY for Kids
1
: have permission to <You may go now.>
2
: be in some degree likely to <You may be right.>
3
—used to express a wish <May the best man win.>
4
—used to express purpose <We exercise so that we may be strong.>
May
noun \ˈmā\
Definition of MAY for Kids
: the fifth month of the year
Word History of MAY
The English word May came from Maius, the Latin name for the same month. The Latin name came from Maia, a Roman goddess. The ancient Romans made offerings to this goddess every first day of May.
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