may

maymodal verb

American /meɪ/ British /meɪ/

very commondefining vocabulary

May is used, in a fairly formal way, to ask if something is allowed or to allow it, to say that something is possible, or to express a wish.

permissionused to ask for or give permission, in a formal or polite way
More formal than can for permission. The negative may not forbids something; it does not mean might not.
verb + bare infinitive [V + inf] formal
- May I come in? V + inf
- You may leave once you have finished the test. V + inf
- Students may not use phones during the exam. V + inf (forbids, does not mean might not)
Compare can (can is the everyday word for permission; may is more formal)
For translators (sense 1)
Grammar trap May not forbids something; it is not the same as might not, which simply says that something possibly will not happen, without forbidding anything.
possibilityused to say that something is possible
Similar to might, but usually suggests a somewhat greater chance. Common in careful or written English.
verb + bare infinitive [V + inf]
- It may rain later. V + inf
- She may already know about the change. V + inf
- The meeting may be canceled if too few people come. V + inf
Synonyms might (close in meaning; might can suggest a little less certainty); could
Compare might; could
1. aused with but to say something is true before making a stronger point against it
  - The plan may have a few flaws, but it's still our best option.
  - She may be young, but she is very capable.
wishesused to express a wish or hope
A formal or literary use, common in ceremonies, toasts, and set expressions, with the subject after may.
verb + bare infinitive [V + inf] formal literary
- May you both be very happy together. V + inf
- May the best team win. V + inf
- May you have a long and healthy life. V + inf
For translators (sense 3)
Meaning across languages This wishing use of may places the subject after the modal, which looks like a question but is not one; a learner may need a completely different construction, such as a special wish form or a word for let, in their own language.

Phrases

Word family

maybe (formed from may and be; used to say something is possible)

Usage

In everyday speech, can has mostly replaced may for permission, though many teachers and formal writers still keep may for asking (May I...?) and can for the answer. For possibility, may and might are close in meaning, and many speakers use them interchangeably; where a difference is felt, might suggests a little less certainty.

Common mistakes

I may to leave early today. I may leave early today.
A modal such as may is followed by the base form of a verb without to.

You mayn't smoke here. You may not smoke here.
The negative of may is written may not; mayn't is not used.

See also might (the past-tense form, also used for a weaker possibility); can (the everyday word for permission)

For translators

Grammar trap May is a modal: it takes the base form of a verb with no to, adds no -s, and has no infinitive, -ing form, or ordinary past tense of its own (might serves as its past in reported speech).