may
may Lexical Profile
may Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The fifth month of the Gregorian calendar, following April and preceding June, containing thirty-one days and associated with late spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
"The university holds its annual commencement ceremony in late May."
British The hawthorn shrub or small tree (genus Crataegus, family Rosaceae), or its fragrant clusters of white, pink, or red five-petaled blossoms that bloom in late spring.
"The country lanes were lined with hedgerows of fragrant white may in full bloom."
• verb
To be possible, plausible, or contingent (used as a modal auxiliary with a bare infinitive).
"There may be slight delays on the commuter rail line due to track maintenance."
To be permitted, allowed, or authorized to do something (used as a modal auxiliary).
"Visitors may photograph the exhibits provided they do not use a flash."
To express a fervent wish, hope, prayer, or formal blessing (used as a modal auxiliary, typically with subject-verb inversion).
"May you both enjoy many years of health and happiness together."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal usage, 'may' is used to express permission or possibility, whereas 'can' traditionally denotes physical or mental ability. As a defective modal auxiliary verb, 'may' lacks an infinitive, participle, or third-person singular '-s' ending, and uses 'might' as its historical past tense.
• Rhymes for may
Word Origin & Etymology
The modal verb derives from Old English 'mæg' ('am able'), from the Proto-Germanic root '*mag-,' meaning 'to have power.' The noun denoting the fifth month comes via Old French from Latin 'Maius,' named after Maia, an ancient Roman earth goddess of fertility and spring growth.