mayhap C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈmeɪhæp/ UK /ˈmeɪhæp/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 adv (archaic) perhaps; possibly Mayhap the traveller will return before nightfall. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · (archaic) perhaps; possibly perhapsmaybepossiblyperchancemayhaps ↔ Opposites certainlydefinitely Word family Related forms happenhaphaplymishap Etymology AI details A contraction of the phrase 'it may hap' ('it may happen'), where hap ('chance, luck') comes from Old Norse happ ('good luck'). An archaic synonym for perhaps. happ Old Norse View etymology graph -> Topics Describing Qualities Register & Style External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # mayhap **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ˈmeɪhæp/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈmeɪhæp/ ## Meanings 1. (archaic) perhaps; possibly ## Examples - Mayhap the traveller will return before nightfall. ## Synonyms - perhaps - maybe - possibly - perchance - mayhaps ## Antonyms - certainly - definitely ## Related Forms - happen - hap - haply - mishap ## Roots and Affixes - Root: happ ## Etymology A contraction of the phrase 'it may hap' ('it may happen'), where hap ('chance, luck') comes from Old Norse happ ('good luck'). An archaic synonym for perhaps. ## AI Etymology Mayhap is a contraction of the phrase 'it may hap' ('it may happen'), where hap ('chance, luck') comes from Old Norse happ ('good luck'). An archaic synonym for perhaps. The form preserves a compact historical development in which the older wording and the present sense remain closely connected. As an adverb, it carries the sense "(archaic) perhaps; possibly", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Old Norse happ. Related words include happen, hap, haply, mishap. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Register & Style markdown