German word

möglicherweise

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmøːklɪçɐˈvaɪ̯zə/

Meaning

  • adverbmaybe

Example

Wir kommen möglicherweise später.

We may come later.

Illustration for möglicherweise (maybe)

More examples

Das Paket ist möglicherweise schon angekommen.

The package has possibly already arrived.

Core concept

A possible event appears on the horizon, but certainty remains out of sight.

Common phrases

  • möglicherweise nicht

    possibly not

  • möglicherweise bereits

    possibly already

Similar words

vielleicht: Expresses an uncertain guess or suggestion in everyday speech.
wahrscheinlich: Suggests that something is relatively likely to happen.
vermutlich: Suggests that circumstances or evidence make something likely.
eventuell: Indicates a possibility that may not become reality.

Definition in German

möglicherweise zeigt an, dass ein Ereignis denkbar ist, ohne Gewissheit zu behaupten.

Word origin

Möglicherweise combines the adjective möglich with -erweise, a suffix used to form adverbs from an adjective and the element Weise, meaning "way."

Usage tips

  • As a sentence adverb, möglicherweise can stand first while the finite verb remains in second position, as in "Möglicherweise kommen wir später."

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word