English Dictionary

Definition of “might”

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1might1 (maɪtPronunciation for might1) 

Definitions

verb

  1. making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may1  ⇒ he might have come last night 
  2. (often foll by well) expressing theoretical possibility: expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come . In this sense expressing theoretical possibility: . In this sense might  looks to the future and functions as a weak form of expressing theoretical possibility: . In this sense looks to the future and functions as a weak form of may See may1 (sense 2)
may1

Word Origin

OE miht

2might2 (maɪtPronunciation for might2) 

Definitions

noun

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

Word Origin

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

1may1 (meɪPronunciation for may1) 

Definitions

verb

Word forms: past tense, might
to or an implied infinitive used as an auxiliary 
  1. to indicate that permission is requested by or granted to someone  ⇒ he may go to the park tomorrow if he behaves himself 
  2. (often foll by well) to indicate possibility  ⇒ the rope may break he may well be a spy 
  3. to indicate ability or capacity, esp in questions  ⇒ may I help you? 
  4. to express a strong wish  ⇒ long may she reign 
  5. to indicate result or purpose: used only in clauses introduced by to indicate result or purpose: used only in clauses introduced by that  or to indicate result or purpose: used only in clauses introduced by or so that  ⇒ he writes so that the average reader may understand 
  6. another word for might1
  7. to express courtesy in a question  ⇒ whose child may this little girl be? 
  8. See be that as it may
  9. See come what may
  10. See that's as may be

Word Origin

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

Quotations

  • "Might is right" Thomas Carlyle

Translations

  • British English: might You use might when something is possible.He might win the race.maɪt VERB He might win the race.
  • French: être susceptible de v
  • Arabic: مِنَ الـمُحْتَمَل prep
  • Brazilian Portuguese: talvez adv

Usage examples

  • I might have been wrong, of course, or maybe in the crush his hand had been pushed that way.
    Hugo Wilcken, THE EXECUTION (2002)
  • You might also be lucky enough to see a bluethroat (or gorge-bleue), too.
    Country Life (2004)
  • At that point he might be prepared to launch an attack on US troops or Israel with such weapons.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • They might put a lid on a rising gold price, though currency instability might prompt them to stop their sales.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Had he shown humility, the jury might have simply exiled him.
    Jim Leavesley, George Biro, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'M'

Related Terms

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