📖 Definitions of "May"
verb
- 1
To be strong; to have power (over).
- 2
(auxiliary) To be able; can.
- 3
To be able to go.
- 4
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
"you may smoke outside; may I sit there?"
🔄 Synonyms of "May"
7 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| getverb | (transitive or ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire. |
| mightnoun | (auxiliary) simple past of may |
| crataegus oxycanthanoun | thorny eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern north america |
| crataegus laevigata | Crataegus laevigata, known as the Midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain (where it is typically found in ancient woodland and old hedgerowsOnline Atlas of the British and Irish Flora: Crataegus laevigata) and Spain, east to Romania and Ukraine. |
| english hawthornnoun | european hawthorn having deeply cleft leaves and bright red fruits; widely cultivated in many varieties and often grown as impenetrable hedges; established as an escape in eastern north america |
| cannoun | (auxiliary verb, defective) To know how to. |
| whitethornnoun | Crataegus monogyna, a hawthorn species native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. |
↔️ Antonyms of "May"
Words with the opposite meaning.
💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "May"
Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| getnoun | (dated) Offspring, especially illegitimate. |
| cannoun | A container or vessel, especially for liquids, usually made of metal. |
| whitethornnoun | Crataegus monogyna, a hawthorn species native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. |
| crataegus laevigata | Crataegus laevigata, known as the Midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain (where it is typically found in ancient woodland and old hedgerowsOnline Atlas of the British and Irish Flora: Crataegus laevigata) and Spain, east to Romania and Ukraine. |
| crataegus oxycanthanoun | thorny eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern north america |
| english hawthornnoun | european hawthorn having deeply cleft leaves and bright red fruits; widely cultivated in many varieties and often grown as impenetrable hedges; established as an escape in eastern north america |
| pleaseverb | Used to make a polite request. |
| opportunitynoun | A chance for advancement, progress or profit. |
| ablenoun | (military) The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet. |
| capable | Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something. |
| casenoun | An actual event, situation, or fact. |
| available | Readily obtainable. |
| optionally | In an optional manner; not mandatorily. |
| allowed | Permitted, authorized. |
| risknoun | (uncountable) The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event. |
| authorized | Explicitly allowed. |
| often | Frequently; many times on different occasions. |
| possibilitynoun | A thing possible; that which may take place or come into being. |
| potentialnoun | A currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to). |
| likelynoun | Something or somebody considered likely. |
🎨 Adjectives for "May"
Popular adjectives used to describe this word in books.
🏷️ Nouns for "May"
Common nouns this word is used to describe.
📝 Common Phrases with "May"
🌐 Broader and Narrower Concepts
More Specific (hyponyms)
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