might

1
[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /

auxiliary verb

simple past tense of may1.
(used to express possibility): They might be at the station.
(used to express advisability): You might at least thank me.
(used in polite requests for permission): Might I speak to you for a moment?

Definition for might (2 of 3)

might 2
[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /

noun

physical strength: He swung with all his might.
superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right.
power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity: the might of the ballot box.

Origin of might

2
before 900; Middle English myghte, Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht, Gothic mahts; akin to may1

synonym study for might

1–3. See strength.

OTHER WORDS FROM might

might·less, adjective

Definition for might (3 of 3)

may 1
[ mey ]
/ meɪ /

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person may, 2nd may or (Archaic) may·est or mayst, 3rd may; present plural may; past might.

(used to express possibility): It may rain.
(used to express opportunity or permission): You may enter.
(used to express contingency, especially in clauses indicating condition, concession, purpose, result, etc.): I may be wrong but I think you would be wise to go. Times may change but human nature stays the same.
(used to express wish or prayer): May you live to an old age.
Archaic. (used to express ability or power.)
Compare might1.

Origin of may

1
before 900; Middle English mai 1st and 3rd person singular present indicative of mouen, Old English mæg (infinitive magan); cognate with German mögen

usage note for may

See can1.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH may

can may shall will (see usage note at can1) (see usage note at shall) may might must (see synonym study at must1)

British Dictionary definitions for might (1 of 7)

might 1
/ (maɪt) /

verb

making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may 1 he might have come last night
(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 (def. 2)

Word Origin for might

OE miht

undefined might

See may 1

British Dictionary definitions for might (2 of 7)

might 2
/ (maɪt) /

noun

power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind
physical strength
(with) might and main See main 1 (def. 8)

Word Origin for might

Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht

British Dictionary definitions for might (3 of 7)

May 1
/ (meɪ) /

noun

the fifth month of the year, consisting of 31 days

Word Origin for May

from Old French, from Latin Maius, probably from Maia, Roman goddess, identified with the Greek goddess Maia

British Dictionary definitions for might (4 of 7)

May 2
/ (meɪ) /

noun

Robert McCredie, Baron. born 1936, Australian biologist and ecologist

British Dictionary definitions for might (5 of 7)

may 1
/ (meɪ) /

verb past might (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive used as an auxiliary)

Word Origin for may

Old English mæg, from magan: compare Old High German mag, Old Norse

usage for may

It was formerly considered correct to use may rather than can when referring to permission as in: you may use the laboratory for your experiments, but this use of may is now almost entirely restricted to polite questions such as: may I open the window? The use of may with if in constructions such as: your analysis may have been more more credible if … is generally regarded as incorrect, might being preferred: your analysis might have been more credible if

British Dictionary definitions for might (6 of 7)

may 2
/ (meɪ) /

noun

an archaic word for maiden

Word Origin for may

Old English mæg; related to Old High German māg kinsman, Old Norse māgr a relative by marriage

British Dictionary definitions for might (7 of 7)

may 3
/ (meɪ) /

noun

Also: may tree a Brit name for hawthorn
short for may blossom

Word Origin for may

C16: from the month of May, when it flowers

Idioms and Phrases with might

may

see be that as it may; come what may; let the chips fall where they may; to whom it may concern.