may

/ˈmā/

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient

auxiliary verb

  1. —used to indicate possibility or probability —sometimes used interchangeably with can —sometimes used where might would be expected

  2. have permission to : be free to —used nearly interchangeably with can

  3. have the ability to

you may go now

noun

  1. maiden

noun

  1. the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar

  2. the early vigorous blooming part of human life : prime

  3. the festivities of May Day