perhaps

[ per-haps ]

adverb

1. maybe; possibly:

   Perhaps the package will arrive today.

perhaps

/ pəˈhæps; præps /

adverb

1. 1. possibly; maybe
   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      perhaps you'll see him tomorrow

      he'll arrive tomorrow, perhaps

sentence substitute

1. it may happen, be so, etc; maybe

Word History and Origins

Origin of perhaps¹

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier perhappes, perhapis “by haps”; equivalent to per + hap ¹ + -s ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of perhaps¹

C16 perhappes, from per by + happes chance, hap ¹

Example Sentences

Others settle in with a horror movie, perhaps one of the three made on site in the last six years.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s possible Moss could stay within the same conference — and perhaps even face off with USC sometime next season.

From Los Angeles Times

Her long record as a foreign policy dissident under both Democratic and Republican presidents will give Senate hawks plenty to scrutinize — and, perhaps, to excoriate.

From Los Angeles Times

Another option could be loyalty programs, which incentivize moviegoers to go to theaters more often, and perhaps also to take chances on films they may have otherwise skipped.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the young women, only their eyes visible, film the meeting on their phones, perhaps wanting some record of this rare meeting.

From BBC