might

¹

[ mahyt ]

auxiliary verb

1. simple past tense of may ¹.
2. (used to express possibility):

   They might be at the station.

3. (used to express advisability):

   You might at least thank me.

4. (used in polite requests for permission):

   Might I speak to you for a moment?

might

²

[ mahyt ]

noun

1. physical strength:

   He swung with all his might.

   Antonyms: weakness

2. superior power or strength; force:

   the theory that might makes right.

   Antonyms: weakness

3. power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity:

   the might of the ballot box.

   Antonyms: weakness

might

¹

/ maɪt /

verb

1. making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may 1

   he might have come last night

2. often foll by well expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come . In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of may See may 1

might

²

/ maɪt /

noun

1. power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind
2. physical strength
3. (with) might and main
   See main 1

Usage

See may 1

Other Words From

• mightless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of might¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English myghte, Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht, Gothic mahts; akin to may ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of might¹

OE miht

Origin of might²

Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. with might and main, with all the vigor, force, or energy at one's command:

   They pulled with might and main.

Synonym Study

See strength.

Example Sentences

“You can’t divorce the scale of the imagery from what you might want to do with it,” the Edge adds.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2024, skepticism that might have previously lasted a whole news cycle now evaporates the same day.

From Salon

It’s possible they might not land a high school player in the spring or summer either, largely because of their roster construction.

From Los Angeles Times

It was through this history — and the story of this man, a Sierra Club environmentalist, a doctor, a father — that I suspected the clues to future strife in a hotter world might be found, because the conflicts unfolding now seemed to be the fruition of his work.

From Salon

All of this might have remained in the realm of intellectual exploit had Tanton not begun to formalize and evangelize his beliefs.

From Salon

Related Words

• efficacy
• potency
• valor