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Propose vs Maybe - What's the difference?

propose | maybe |

As nouns the difference between propose and maybe

is that propose is an objective or aim while maybe is something that is possibly true.

As a verb propose

is to suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

As an adverb maybe is

Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty.

As an adjective maybe is

possible; uncertain.

propose

English

Verb

(propos)
  • To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
  • To ask for a person's hand in marriage.
  • To intend.
  • * 1859 , (John Gorham Palfrey), History of New England , Preface (Google preview):
    • I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-16, author= John Vidal
    • , volume=189, issue=10, page=8, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas , passage=Many of the proposed dams would be among the tallest in the world.}}
  • (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
  • * 1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Much Ado About Nothing) , :
    • HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;
    There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
    Proposing with the prince and Claudio
  • (obsolete) To set forth.
  • * 1616 , (George Chapman) (translator), Homer's Iliad , book 11:
    • . . . so weighty was the cup,
    That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

    Usage notes

    * In use 1. this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . * In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . * For more information, see * Compared to to suggest'', ''to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * proposal * proposition

    Related terms

    * proponent

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An objective or aim.
  • *, II.17:
  • *:whose aime hath beene to make us not good and wittie, but wise and learned; She hath attained her propose .

    • Anagrams

    * English reporting verbs ----

    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