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may - thesaurus entry
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modal verb
  1. 1
    used for showing possibility
    1. a.
      used for saying that there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen

      *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

      Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more
    2. b.
      formal used for saying that it is possible to do something in a particular way

      *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

      Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more
  2. 2
    be allowed to do something
    1. a.
      spoken used for politely asking someone to let you do something

      *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

      Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more
    2. b.
      formal used for saying that something is allowed

      *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

      Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more
  5. 5
    formal used for saying that someone does something in order to achieve a particular purpose

    *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

    Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more
  6. 6
    formal used for expressing a hope or a wish

    *Synonyms or related words for this sense of may*

    Modal verbs: can, cannot, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, used to... more

phrases

These are synonyms and/or related words for may in the British English Thesaurus. View synonyms and/or related words for may in the American English Thesaurus.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

chillax

to rest and relax, often by taking time away from work to do things you enjoy

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dray

a type of cart pulled by a horse and used in the past for carrying barrels of beer

Open Dictionary

gender-neutral

gender-neutral language can be used when talking about either sex

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