Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - maybe

~ adv sentence adverb 1 used like 'perhaps' to say that something may happen or may be true but you are not certain  ("Do you think he'll come back?" "Maybe." | Maybe I was wrong about Karen; I don't know. | He said he'd finish the work soon - maybe tomorrow.) 2 used to show that you are not sure of an amount or number  (There were three, maybe four hundred people at the concert.) 3 used to make a suggestion you are not quite sure about  (We thought maybe we should lower the price we were asking for our house.) 4 used when politely asking someone to do something or offering to help them  (Maybe you could help me tidy the livingroom.) 5 spoken used to reply to a suggestion or idea when either you are not sure if you agree with it, or you do not want to say `yes' or `no'  ("I think Sheila would be an excellent managing director." "Maybe." | "Well, are you going to take the job or not?" "Maybe ...") 6 maybe ... but spoken used to agree with someone but say that there are also other facts to be considered  ("Mike should rent his own apartment and get away from home." "Maybe, but where would he get the money from?")  ( USAGE NOTE: MAYBE FORMALITY Maybe and perhaps mean the same thing, but maybe is more informal. To a friend you might say or write I'll maybe see you in August . To someone you do not know well you might say Perhaps we could meet next week . When you write a report or story you might put New York is perhaps the most interesting city in the US. In a speech you might say Perhaps in closing I could just thank everyone for coming, but it would be less formal to say Maybe... SPELLING Maybe is always spelt as one word when it means `perhaps' Maybe it'll be fun . Compare It may be fun. )