What is the difference between 'maybe' and 'perhaps'?

Question

What is the difference between 'maybe' and 'perhaps'?

Answer 1

maybe there's no difference and yet, perhaps there is...

Answer 2

Perhaps sounds more fancy.

Answer 3

Both have the same meaning, the only difference is that perhaps is more formal then the casual maybe.

Answer 4

well.... maybe usually ends up being a yes... and perhaps usually ends up being a yes or a no.

Answer 5

Perhaps is just a more hoity-toity way to say the same thing.

Answer 6

If someone says maybe to a question they will consider a yes.  If they say perhaps to a question, they are shugging it off and don't want to commit to anything.

Answer 7

Perhaps just sounds a little bit more intelligent

In the dictionary, maybe will often be defined by perhaps, but usually not vice-versa

Answer 8

perhaps sounds more optimistic

Answer 9

not much

Answer 10

Nothing. English users need to combine them and just use mayhaps. I'd say perbe, but that doesn't sound right. Anything that rhymes with furby should be avoided.Those things are look to similar to gremlins.

furby- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

gremlin- http://philspector.files.wordpress.com/2...

Answer 11

There is no difference.

Maybe = maybe yes or maybe no;

Perhaps = perhaps yes or perhaps no.

They are negative and positive at the same time.

Answer 12

Perhaps is more positive

Answer 13

In business, poker and politics, "maybe" connotates this of the speaker's mind:  

"I am still weighing things about MY ability to meet the articles of agreement."

And, "perhaps" connotates this of the speaker's mind:

"I am still weighing things about YOUR ability to meet the articles of agreement."

Also, "perhaps" may connotate inconclusive agreement of what the articles of agreement should be . . . as though "negotiations" are still in process.

Answer 14

Maybe is a way of covering yes when you don't want to answer yes. Perhaps is when you don't know but you know there's a possibility.

Answer 15

There is none;both mean possibly.

Answer 16

The two are synonymous.

Answer 17

They are spelled different

Answer 18

Maybe you should look in the Dictionary perhaps, it will tell you the meanings...