[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/perhaps/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / perhaps

# perhaps

adverb

«perhaps» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Perhaps means maybe; it is possible but not certain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#m1)
2. Used to make a request or idea sound polite. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in stories and talk to show something is not sure: "Perhaps it will rain." In maths and science it shows a guess or prediction, not a fact. Polite use: "Perhaps you could help me?"

### Examples

- Perhaps it will snow tomorrow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x1)
- Perhaps the cat is hiding under the bed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x2)
- Perhaps you could close the window, please. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x3)
- "Will you come?" "Perhaps." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x4)
- Perhaps the answer is 12, but let me check. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x5)
- She was perhaps the fastest runner in the school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x6)
- Perhaps we should take an umbrella. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x7)
- “Perhaps he is ill,” Michael said. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/#x8)

### Note

Same meaning as "maybe" and "possibly"; "perhaps" sounds a little more formal. Usually at the start of a sentence. It never means "definitely".

## In Jewish tradition

Used in stories and talk to show something is not sure: "Perhaps it will rain." In maths and science it shows a guess or prediction, not a fact. Polite use: "Perhaps you could help me?"

### Examples

- The "Sepher Yetzirah," or "Book of Formation," is perhaps the oldest philosophical treatise which is yet extant in the Hebrew language. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perhaps/#x1)
- The expression בְּלִי\[\]מָה beli\[-\]mah can be understood as either one word or two, with both readings being plausible and perhaps intended, and manuscripts commonly varying between the one- and two-word renditions. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perhaps/#x2)
- The conception of Creation as a network of ontological interdependencies is perhaps apparent in the ‘231 gates’ referred to above in SY 2:4; see also SY 6:2.\] How did He combine them? (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perhaps/#x3)

### Note

Same meaning as "maybe" and "possibly"; "perhaps" sounds a little more formal. Usually at the start of a sentence. It never means "definitely".

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «perhaps» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perhaps/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«perhaps» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/perhaps.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «perhaps» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perhaps/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«perhaps» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/perhaps.html) on Mova free.