perhaps
UK[pəˈhæps]US[pərˈhæps]
adv
used to say that something may be true or may happen, but you are not certain
Morpheme Breakdown
per
haps
per
by
haps
chance
Etymology
The word 'perhaps' has a transparently logical construction from its historical components. It entered English in the late 15th century, formed from the preposition 'per' (by) and the plural of the now-archaic noun 'hap' (chance or fortune). Literally, it means "by chances," directly capturing the sense of uncertainty or possibility. The term 'hap' itself, from Old Norse 'happ', is related to Old English 'gehæp' (fit, convenient) and shares a deeper Proto-Germanic root meaning "good luck." Thus, the modern abstract meaning of expressing tentative possibility evolved from the concrete idea of leaving an outcome to the workings of fortune or multiple chances.
Analysis
Structure: per (by) + haps (chance)
- per: Latin origin, meaning "by, through". In this word, it functions as a prepositional element.
- haps: From the plural of 'hap', an archaic word of Old Norse origin meaning "chance, luck, fortune". It functions as the nominal root.
Examples
Perhaps we should start the meeting without her.
He's late—perhaps he missed the train.
This is perhaps her most famous novel.