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Maybe vs Depends - What's the difference?

maybe | depends |

As an adverb maybe

is .

As an adjective maybe

is possible; uncertain.

As a noun maybe

is (informal) something that is possibly true.

As a verb depends is

.

maybe

English

(wikipedia maybe)

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete) * (l) (dialectal)

Adverb

(-)
  • (as a pro-sentence ) perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement)
  • Usage notes

    * Do not confuse maybe' with ' may be : "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true"

    Synonyms

    * (perhaps) mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly * (as a pro-sentence) could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possible

    Derived terms

    * and I don't mean maybe

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Possible; uncertain.
  • Then add those may-be years thou hast to live ? Dryden.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) Something that is possibly true.
  • (informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.
  • The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes.
  • (informal) A future event that may or may not happen.
  • About your raise: it's a big maybe .

    Synonyms

    * perhaps

    Derived terms

    * definite maybe

    depends

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (depend)

  • depend

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above.
  • * 1851 , Herman Melville, Moby-Dick :
  • The long rows of teeth on the bulwarks glistened in the moonlight; and like the white ivory tusks of some huge elephant, vast curving icicles depended from the bows.
  • * 1982 , Paul Fussell, My War :
  • Besides, if you worked up to be a cadet officer, you got to wear a Sam Browne belt, from which depended a nifty saber.
  • To hang in suspense; to be pending; to be undetermined or undecided; as, a cause depending in court.
  • To rely on for support; to be conditioned or contingent; to be connected with anything, as a cause of existence, or as a necessary condition; — followed by on or upon, formerly by of.
  • (senseid)To trust; to rest with confidence; to rely; to confide; to be certain; — with on or upon; as, we depend on the word or assurance of our friends; we depend on the mail at the usual hour.
  • To serve; to attend; to act as a dependent or retainer.