perchance

American  

[per-chans, -chahns] / pərˈtʃæns, -ˈtʃɑns /

adverb

1. Literary. perhaps; maybe; possibly.

2. Archaic. by chance.

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perchance British  

/ pəˈtʃɑːns /

adverb

1. perhaps; possibly

2. by chance; accidentally

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Etymology

Origin of perchance

1300–50; Middle English, variant of par chance by chance < Anglo-French. See per, chance

Explanation

Perchance means “by chance” and is an old-fashioned or literary way to say “maybe.” Perchance comes from the Old French phrase par cheance, which means — you guessed it — "by chance." Perchance thinking of a French poet such as Baudelaire will help you remember the definition. People use this word when they’re unsure of something, and they want to sound fancy. If you say, “Perchance it will rain,” you’re not sure about the chance of rain, and you might be wearing a chapeau. Use the word perchance if you like to kick it old school.

Example Sentences

Perchance you’re still mad ’bout bein’ stiffed by Go-dot?

From Washington Post • Apr. 2, 2020

Perchance because it was critical of the Times' role in undermining the Dinkins Administration?

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2017

‘The posthumous pseudo-sequel never amounts to more than a nostalgic curiosity’ wrote, ironically, Kingsley’s son Martin Amis in a review of Perchance to Dream, Robert B. Parker’s authorised attempt to resurrect Chandler in 1991.

From Time • Mar. 19, 2015

When Hall optimistically says of her brother "Perchance he is not drowned", Haygarth resignedly points to the corpse of a dead mariner.

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2011

I knew the path by heart, knew all of Perchance cobblestone by cobblestone and weed by weed.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate