perhaps

1 of 2

adverb

per·​haps pər-ˈhaps How to pronounce perhaps (audio)
ˈpraps
Synonyms of perhaps
: possibly but not certainly : maybe

perhaps

2 of 2

noun

: something open to doubt or conjecture

Synonyms of perhaps

Relevance

Adverb

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Examples of perhaps in a Sentence

Adverb perhaps we will not have to take this exam, but I doubt it
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adverb
Those stats don’t capture perhaps the most important play of the contest for the offense — a fourth-down pickup on the Panthers’ most consequential drive of the day. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 Visiting ancient sites, or perhaps any far-off destination, is not for the faint of heart. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 About half of Faux’s dining room, on my visits, seemed to be occupied by the young and beautiful, perhaps strategizing, over moules bouillabaisse, when to move the party to the bar downstairs. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perhaps

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

per + hap

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1520, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perhaps was circa 1520

Rhymes for perhaps

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Browse Nearby Words

perhalogen
perhaps
per head
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perhaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perhaps. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

perhaps

adverb
per·​haps
pər-ˈ(h)aps, 
ˈpraps
: possibly but not certainly
Etymology

Adverb

from per (preposition) "by, according to" and haps, plural of hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, mishap

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