may

  • modal verb (3rd sing. present may; past might) 1 expressing possibility. 2 expressing permission. 3 expressing a wish or hope.

  — PHRASES be that as it may nevertheless.

  — USAGE When expressing or asking permission, may is regarded as more correct (and more polite) than can, so that it is better to say May we leave now? rather than Can we leave now? The verb can should be used to express ability or capability (can he move? = is he physically able to move?; may he move? = is he allowed to move?).

  — ORIGIN Old English.

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