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Maybe vs Hopeful - What's the difference?

maybe | hopeful |

As adjectives the difference between maybe and hopeful

is that maybe is possible; uncertain while hopeful is feeling hope.

As nouns the difference between maybe and hopeful

is that maybe is (informal) something that is possibly true while hopeful is somebody who is hoping for success or victory.

As an adverb maybe

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

    Anagrams

    * English hedges English modal adverbs

    hopeful

    English

    Alternative forms

    * hopefull (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Feeling hope.
    • I have been very hopeful .
    I am hopeful that I will recover from the disease.
  • Inspiring hope.

    • Antonyms

    * hopeless * desperate * dejected

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Somebody who is hoping for success or victory.
    • Several presidential hopefuls are campaigning in New Hampshire this week.