different between potentially vs maybe

English

Etymology

From potential +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p??t?n?(?)li/

Adverb

potentially (comparative more potentially, superlative most potentially)

1. In a manner showing much potential; with the possibility of happening in a given way.
2. (obsolete) Powerfully, strongly.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:

     I freely assert, that the cosmopolite philosopher cannot, for his life, point out one single peaceful influence, which within the last sixty years has operated more potentially upon the whole broad world, taken in one aggregate, than the high and mighty business of whaling.

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• may-be (obsolete)
• mebbe (dialectal)

Etymology

From an ellipsis of it may be, equivalent to may +? be. Compare mayhap.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) enPR: m?'b?, IPA^(key): /?me?bi/, [?me??bi]
• Rhymes: -e?bi

Adverb

maybe (not comparable)

1. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty: it may be that...

2. (as a pro-sentence) Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).
   • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     Okay. See you later, maybe. — Maybe I’ll see you later.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse maybe with the verb construction may be: "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true".

Synonyms

• (perhaps): mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly
• (as a pro-sentence): could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possible

Derived terms

• and I don't mean maybe

Translations

Adjective

maybe (comparative more maybe, superlative most maybe)

1. Possible; uncertain.
   • 1687, John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther, part III line 294

     Then add those may-be years thou hast to live

Noun

maybe (plural maybes)

1. (informal) Something that is possibly true.
2. (informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.

3. (informal) A future event that may or may not happen.

Synonyms

• perhaps

Derived terms

• definite maybe

Anagrams

• Mabey, abyme, beamy, embay