may
modal verb (PERMISSION) /meɪ/ formalDefinition
B1 used to ask or give permission: A reader may borrow up to six books at any one time. "May I help myself to some more food?" "Yes, of course." Hi, my name's Tiffany. How may I help you? → Compare might modal verbAllowing and permittingPolite expressions
(Definition of may modal verb (PERMISSION) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- actually adverb (SAYING NO)
- after preposition
- allow verb (GIVE PERMISSION)
- by all means idiom
- chance noun (LUCK)
- could modal verb (PERMISSION)
- disrespect noun
- don't mention it! idiom
- forgive verb
- good adjective (KIND)
- honour noun (RESPECT)
- how adverb
- might I ask/inquire/know idiom
- no problem idiom
- obliged adjective (GRATEFUL)
- pardon (me) idiom
- pardon exclamation
- perhaps adverb
- please exclamation
- possibly adverb (WITH CAN/COULD)
Topic:
Polite expressions
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