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 Word Forms

• 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

Given Wednesday’s results, Miller might be facing the same fate.

From Los Angeles Times

Our ancestors have long created stories of beings that might dwell in the skies.

From BBC

"People that say you're a troll, you're a bully...I find myself hiding at celebrity events because I think 'oh I do their impression, they might not like me'."

From BBC

“I felt like that every day on this movie, like there might not ever be a time when Ludwig can just move to another town and uproot his whole family.”

From Los Angeles Times

You could argue that tradwives are simply a niche interest; these women might not actually be quitting their jobs to become tradwives.

From Salon

Related Words

• efficacy
• potency
• valor

Might Vs. May

What’s the difference between might and may?

Might and may can both be used as auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) that express possibility, as in We may/might have some left—let me check.

Traditionally, might is considered a weaker form of may—meaning that it expresses a lower degree of possibility that something will happen. Some people might intend to use the two words this way, but in practical terms they are often interchangeable when used in this sense—they usually mean just about the same thing.

May and might can also both be used in the context of permission, often as what’s thought to be a more polite substitute for can, as in May/Might I use your restroom? In responses to such questions, it’s usually may that’s used, as in Yes, you may. Saying might in such responses is often meant to make fun of such a use of the word in a way that’s sarcastic or that introduces a condition, usually one that’s not serious, as in Yes, you might, if you knew the password.

May is sometimes used to express a wish, as in May you have success.

Might is sometimes used to express advisability, as in You might ask before you barge in, you know.

In its auxiliary verb sense, might can also be used as the past tense of may. It may seem strange to express possibility in the past tense (now that it is known whether or not something happened), but there are plenty of cases in which it makes sense to do it, such as when it’s still uncertain whether or not something could have happened, as in He might have had a chance to become CEO, but he decided to retire early or She might have come if you had actually invited her. Of course, the word may can also be used in the same way to indicate past tense (She may have come if you had actually invited her).

Here’s an example of might and may used correctly in a sentence.

Example: We might have been able to go today if it hadn’t rained, but in any case we may try to go again tomorrow.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between might and may.

Quiz yourself on might vs. may!

Should may or might be used in the following sentence?

_____ you have a long and happy life!