Definition of word might

Noun



an impressive display of military might



the legal might of the government

Recent Examples on the Web



In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers set out to find signals that might precede earthquakes, looking at a hodgepodge of cues like animal behavior, radon emissions and electromagnetic signals.


—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023




Early corporate behavior and statements from executives suggest that companies might be accepting the 1% tax as a cost of doing business, not changing their buyback practices.


—Richard Rubin, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2023




Urban living or access to green space rather than air pollution might be driving changes in mental health, Hayes said.


—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2023




The last few days might have helped the recruiting pitch, too.


—Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2023




Larry Bird had a rivalry that brought them both multiple championships and might have saved the NBA in the 1980′s.


—Tim Reynolds, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2023




Several theories from neuroscience and psychology can point to why some people might be particularly primed to enjoy gambling.


—Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023




The state’s forfeiture law allows police to seize money, property, and other assets that might be linked to a crime.


—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2023




Yeoh’s co-star, Ke Huy Quan, is the overwhelming favorite to win the supporting actor Oscar, and some might think that’s sufficient reward for the film.


—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023



Unsurprisingly, the country’s poor human rights record, let alone its financial might, is never addressed.


—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 20 Mar. 2023




And Amazon used its might to help market and promote Creed III.


—Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2023




That’s because the relationship has turned more confrontational and tense as China has built up its military might – including its nuclear arsenal – while asserting itself more forcefully in its neighborhood, including over Taiwan.


—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2023




As in other countries, declining births means an aging work force for China, which built its economic might largely on a manufacturing sector dependent on cheap labor.


—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2023




All the while, the pig was screaming and using all of its might to stay put.


—Selina Wang, CNN, 27 Jan. 2023




The passing game is only part of Cincinnati’s offensive might, Travis Kelce proved to be the ultimate safety valve for Patrick Mahomes and the Giants face difficult decisions after their loss.


—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2023




Russia has been showered with sanctions and export controls that seek to cut them off from the global economy, using a kind of systematic might to hinder the Kremlin’s war efforts and punish Putin’s allies.


—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2023




The movement to convert the rest of the country’s death investigators from coroners to medical examiners is waning, a casualty of coroners’ political might in their communities and the additional costs needed to pay for medical examiners’ expertise.


—Samantha Young, Chicago Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022


See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘might.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Источник

I kind of agree with this, except dogs might *might* be an exception. ❋ Ann Althouse (2009)

I might — *might* — consider not buying the manga I’d never heard of before but looks oh-so interesting if I knew any of these were coming out that week: ❋ Unknown (2008)

I wrote about what might–and I emphasize the word *might*–be an indication that some small steps have actually been taken in my Blog-Against-Sexism-Day post. ❋ Unknown (2006)

For instance, I can think of one way the Republicans might, just *might*, retain control of both houses: if they impeach and convict Bush and Cheney themselves, before the next election. ❋ Unknown (2006)

Arizona because it suddenly occurred to me that the police might — just * might* — come and take away my computer. ❋ Sterling, Bruce (1992)

All at once the thought struck him that he himself might be the person accused, and the bare idea that such _might_ be the case sent the blood to his heart and a cold shudder through his frame. ❋ Alvin Addison (N/A)

It might go wrong with you — only _might_ — but I want, I must have, your consent. ❋ Unknown (N/A)

With reasonable care the thing might be done almost with impunity — though there was never wanting, of course, the not entirely unpleasurable excitement of knowing that you were breaking the law, that somebody _might_ have turned informer, and that at any moment a raid might be made. ❋ Jeanie Lang (N/A)

I have to study for ages and ages, and, you know, something might, _might_ happen to me. ❋ Pemberton Ginther (N/A)

Christ died in order that men might _not_ die, but exactly for this very purpose, that they _might_ die; and this death he represents in the next verse by an equivalent expression — the life of unselfishness: ❋ Frederick W. Robertson (N/A)

It might rain tomorrow, and ‘sides, it _might_ take us more’n ❋ Ruth Alberta Brown (N/A)

If a woman might not do this, what, in heaven’s name, _might_ she do? ❋ Mona Caird (N/A)

At any rate, she was resolved to leave no point uncovered that might, just possibly _might_, help her Allan just a little way to interest in life, which she felt to be the way to recovery. ❋ Margaret Widdemer (1931)

It was three in the afternoon before Oliver walked into the Hotel Rosario again and when he did it was with the feeling that the house detective might come up at any moment, touch him quietly on the shoulder and remark that his bag _might_ be sent down to the station after him if he paid his bill and left quietly and at once. ❋ Stephen Vincent Ben��t (1920)

But for this very reason he might, he just _might_, try to find out all about it, and that would mean that Paddy would have to be always on the watch. ❋ Harrison [Illustrator] Cody (1919)

She might be selling books upon the instalment plan: she might be peddling skin-food warranted to restore their weather-beaten complexions to the texture of a baby’s: she _might_ be a new inmate for the dance hall. ❋ Caroline Lockhart (1916)

I might, I don’t say it flat, — I want to consider, — but I _might_ extend them to Princeton. ❋ Owen Johnson (1915)

You might get off, and then again you _might not_. ❋ Charles Caldwell Dobie (1912)

Oddly enough, it seems as if it might — there’s just the off-chance — it _might_ affect the issue. ‘ ❋ Elizabeth Robins (1907)

Earth to-day, and of what this Earth will become and of what it might become; and possibly _also_ of greater things which have already been realised, or _will_ be realised and _might_ be realised in the planets of other suns than our Sun. ❋ Francis Edward Younghusband (1902)

[Lifting] [that much] weight shows us his great might.
it might [rain]. ❋ DjDave71 (2008)

You might be able to [skate] [the gap].
‘You can’t skate the gap.’
You might be good.
«You’re [not good].’ ❋ Steve Steve Steve (2006)

If you’re [allergic to] dogs, veterinary [receptionist] might not be the best job for you.
You might make sure you know her name sometime before jumping into bed.
Too bad your car died! Next time a [check engine light] comes on you might want to have someone check the engine, huh? ❋ Miss Elis (2008)

[Might might not] [go] [grocery shopping] today. ❋ TKBluffs (2017)

[Yo] [might]! [‘sup]? ❋ Lord Tywin (2013)

You can [lick] my [might], because there «[MIGHT]» be [shit on it], or there «MIGHT» not. ❋ PKnoice (2008)

“Oh I [might] play [stardew] again [tomorrow].” ❋ SaintJami (2020)

Girl: [I want that] [CD].
Boy: You «Might» Not.
Girl: I «Might»
Boy: But [ya Might] not…
ANNOYING! ❋ Bella353535 (2011)

It’s called [the Might] because, it might [clean] or it [might be] dirty! ❋ Al Rodriguez (2017)

I [might be] [crippled] ❋ Fat Dick Dave (2020)

Источник

might

force; strength; past tense of may

Not to be confused with:

mite – tiny particle; an insect; a small amount

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

might 1

 (mīt)

n.

1. Great power or force, as of a nation or army.

2. Physical strength: Push with all your might! See Synonyms at strength.

might 2

 (mīt)

aux.v. Past tense of may

1.

a. Used to indicate a condition or state contrary to fact: She might help if she knew the truth.

b. Used to express possibility or probability: It might snow tomorrow.

2. Used to express possibility or probability in the past: She thought she might be late, but she arrived on time.

3. Archaic Used to express permission in the past: The courtier was informed that he might enter the king’s chambers.

4. Used to express a higher degree of deference or politeness than may, ought, or should: Might I express my opinion?

[Middle English, from Old English meahte, mihte, first and third person sing. past tense of magan, to be able; see may1.]

Usage Note: May or might? In many situations, the choice between these two verbs can be clarified by remembering that might is the past tense form of may, and that in English, a past tense form is used to refer not just to events that occurred in the past (She left yesterday), but to hypothetical, counterfactual, or remotely possible situations (If you left now, you’d get there on time.) Thus, the past tense form might is appropriate in this sentence about a future event that is a remote possibility: If I won the lottery, I might buy a yacht, which contrasts with the present-tense version that indicates an open possibility: If I win the lottery, I may buy a yacht. When referring to a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation in the past, rather than an imagined future situation, the verbs are shifted to the remote past: won becomes had won, and might buy becomes might have bought: If I had won the lottery, I might have bought a yacht. Since about the 1960s, however, people have started using may have where might have would be expected (as in, If he hadn’t tripped, he may have won the race). Although this usage is common in casual speech, it is considered unacceptable by the majority of the Usage Panel. In our 2012 survey, 97 percent of the Usage Panelists found the sentence If John Lennon had not been shot, the Beatles might have gotten back together acceptable. Only a third of the Panel (32 percent) approved of the same sentence with may have replacing might have. Using may have for a past counterfactual situation instead of might have is not only frowned upon by the Panel but can also lead to confusion, since may have is best suited for a different kind of situation: present uncertainty about a past situation. Keeping the two forms distinct reduces ambiguity. He may have drowned, for example, is best used to mean that it is unknown whether the man drowned, not that the man narrowly escaped drowning. · When may and might are used to indicate possibility or probability, as in He may lose his job or We might go on vacation next year, the two words are used almost interchangeably. It is sometimes said that might suggests a lower probability than may, perhaps because of its use in hypothetical statements that omit the conditional clause (You might get there on time can be thought of as short for If you hurried, you might get there on time). In practice, however, few people make this distinction.

Our Living Language In many Southern US varieties of English, might can be paired with other auxiliary verbs such as could, as in We might could park over there. Words like might and could are known as modals, since they express certain «moods» (for example, I might go indicates an uncertain mood on the part of the speaker). Combinations such as might could, might would, and might can are known as double modals. Other less common combinations include may can, may will, and might should. Since double modals typically begin with may or might, they lessen the degree of conviction or certainty (much like the word possibly) more than a single modal does. Double modals are used, for example, to minimize the force of what one is saying, as when asking someone for a favor or when indicating displeasure. · Although double modals may sound odd outside of the South, they carry little if any social stigma within the South and are used by speakers of all social classes and educational levels—even in formal instances like political addresses. Like many features of Southern varieties of English, the use of double modals is probably due to the fact that many of the first English speakers in the South were Scotch-Irish, whose speech made use of double modals.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

might

(maɪt)

vb

1. making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may1: he might have come last night.

2. (often foll by well) expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come. In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of may. See may12

[OE miht]

Usage: See at may1

might

(maɪt)

n

1. power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind

2. physical strength

3. (with) might and main See main18

[Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

might1

(maɪt)

auxiliary v., pres. sing. and pl. might; past might.

1. pt. of may 1 : I asked if we might borrow their car.

2. (used to express tentative possibility): She might have called while you were out.

3. (used to express an unrealized possibility): He might have been killed!

4. (used to express advisability or offer a suggestion): They might at least have tried.

5. (used to express contingency, esp. in clauses indicating condition, concession, result, etc.): difficult as it might be.

6. (used in polite requests for permission): Might I speak to you for a moment?

might2

(maɪt)

n.

1. physical strength: He swung with all his might.

2. superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right.

3. power or ability to be effective: the might of the ballot box.

[before 900; Middle English myghte, Old English miht, meaht; c. Old Frisian mecht, macht, Old Saxon, Old High German maht, Old Norse māttr, Gothic mahts; n. derivative from Germanic base of may1; compare main]

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

might

– may

Might and may are used mainly to talk about possibility. They can also be used to make a request, to ask permission, or to make a suggestion. When might and may are used with the same meaning, may is more formal than might. Might and may are called modals.

In conversation, the negative form mightn’t is often used instead of ‘might not’. The form mayn’t is much less common. People usually use the full form may not.

He mightn’t have time to see you.

It may not be as hard as you think.

1. possibility: the present and the future

You can use might or may to say that it is possible that something is true or that something will happen in the future.

I might see you at the party.

This may be why she enjoys her work.

You can use could in a similar way, but only in positive sentences.

Don’t eat it. It could be poisonous.

You can use might well or may well to show that it is fairly likely that something is true.

You might well be right.

I think that may well be the last time we see him.

You use might not or may not to say that it is possible that something is not true.

He might not like spicy food.

That may not be the reason she left.

Be Careful!
Don’t use ‘might not’ or ‘may not’ to say that it is impossible that something is true. Instead you use could not, cannot, or can’t.

She could not have known what happened unless she was there.

He cannot be younger than me.

You can’t talk to the dead.

Be Careful!
Don’t use ‘may’ when you are asking if something is possible. Don’t say, for example, ‘May he be right?‘ Say ‘Might he be right?’ or, more usually, ‘Could he be right?’

Might we have got the date wrong?

Could this be true?

Be Careful!
Don’t say ‘What may happen?‘ You usually say ‘What is likely to happen?’

What are likely to be the effects of these changes?

2. possibility: the past

You use might or may with have to say that it is possible that something happened in the past, but you do not know whether it happened or not.

Jorge didn’t play well. He might have been feeling tired.

I may have been a little unfair to you.

Could have can be used in a similar way.

It could have been one of the staff that stole the money.

Be Careful!
However, if something did not happen and you want to say that there was a possibility of it happening, you can only use might have or could have. Don’t use ‘may have’. For example, you say ‘If he hadn’t fallen, he might have won the race’. Don’t say ‘If he hadn’t hurt his ankle, he may have won the race‘.

A lot of men died who might have been saved.

You use might not or may not with have to say that it is possible that something did not happen or was not true.

They might not have got your message.

Her parents may not have realized what she was doing.

Be Careful!
Don’t use ‘might not have’ or ‘may not have’ to say that it is impossible that something happened or was true. Instead you use could not have or, in British English, cannot have.

They could not have guessed what was going to happen.

The measurement can’t have been wrong.

3. requests and permission

In formal English, may and might are sometimes used for making a request, or asking or giving permission.

Might I ask a question?

You may leave the table.

4. suggestions

Might is often used in polite suggestions.

You might like to read this and see what you think.

I think it might be better to switch off your phones.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

Источник

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

  • mite (eye dialect, informal)

Pronunciation[edit]

  • enPR: mīt, IPA(key): /maɪt/
  • Homophone: mite
  • Rhymes: -aɪt

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English myght, might (also maught, macht, maht), from Old English miht, mieht, meaht, mæht (“might, bodily strength, power, authority, ability, virtue, mighty work, miracle, angel”), from Proto-West Germanic *mahti, from Proto-Germanic *mahtiz, *mahtuz (“might, power”), from Proto-Indo-European *mógʰtis, *megʰ- (“to allow, be able, help”), corresponding to Germanic *maganą + *-þiz. Equivalent to may +‎ -th.

Cognate with Scots micht, maucht (“might”), North Frisian macht (“might, ability”), West Frisian macht (“might, ability”), Dutch macht (“might, power”), German Macht (“power, might”), Swedish makt (“might”), Norwegian makt (“power”), Icelandic máttur (“might”), Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 (mahts). See more at may.

Noun[edit]

might (countable and uncountable, plural mights)

  1. (countable, uncountable) Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.

    • 1549 March 7​, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Introites, Collectes, Epiſtles and Goſpelles, to be uſed at the celebꝛacion of the loꝛdes Supper, & holy Communion, thꝛough the yere, with pꝛoper Pſalmes and Leſſons, for diuers feaſtes and dayes”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC, folio xcvii, recto:

      […] ſtrengthed with all myght, thꝛough his gloꝛious power, unto all pacience and long ſufferyng with ioifulneſſe […]

    • 1965 March 15, Johnson, Lyndon B., Special Message to the Congress: The American Promise [on the Voting Rights Act], 3/15/65. MP506.‎[1], Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, 43:30 from the start:

      This is the richest, the most powerful country which ever occupied this globe. The might of past empires is little compared to ours. But I do not want to be the president who built empires or sought grandeur or extended dominion. I want to be the president who educated young children to the wonders of their world.

    • 1969, {unattributed}, Journal of the United Service Institution of India, Volume 99
      «Since every nation considers itself right, peace lies in balancing the military mights of the possible rivals.»
  2. (uncountable) Physical strength or force.
    He pushed with all his might, but still it would not move.
  3. (uncountable) The ability to do something.
Derived terms[edit]
  • mighteous
  • mightful
  • mightiness
  • mightless
  • mighty
  • unmight
Translations[edit]

personal power

  • Arabic: قُوَّة‎ (ar) f (quwwa)
  • Armenian: զորություն (hy) (zorutʿyun), հզորություն (hy) (hzorutʿyun)
  • Azerbaijani: qüdrət (az)
  • Bulgarian: мощ (bg) f (mošt), могъщество (bg) n (mogǎštestvo)
  • Czech: moc (cs) f
  • Dutch: macht (nl) f
  • Egyptian: (wsrw)
  • Finnish: mahti (fi), voima (fi)
  • French: pouvoir (fr) m, puissance (fr) f
  • Georgian: სიძლიერე (siʒliere)
  • German: Macht (de) f
  • Gothic: 𐌼𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 f (mahts)
  • Greek:
    Ancient: κράτος n (krátos), δύναμις f (dúnamis)
  • Hungarian: hatalom (hu)
  • Italian: potere (it) m
  • Korean: 위력(威力) (ko) (wiryeok)
  • Latin: potestas (la) f, potentia f
  • Macedonian: моќ f (moḱ)
  • Occitan: poténcia (oc) f, poder (oc) m
  • Old English: afol
  • Plautdietsch: Macht f
  • Polish: potęga (pl) f, moc (pl) f
  • Portuguese: potência (pt) f
  • Russian: мощь (ru) f (moščʹ), могу́щество (ru) n (mogúščestvo)
  • Scots: micht
  • Scottish Gaelic: cumhachd m or f
  • Slovene: moč (sl) f, mogota f
  • Spanish: potestad (es), potencia (es), poder (es)
  • Swedish: makt (sv) c
  • Tocharian B: maiyyo
  • Turkish: güç (tr)
  • Ugaritic: 𐎓𐎇 (ʿz)
  • Ukrainian: міць (uk) (micʹ), могу́тність (mohútnistʹ)

physical strength

  • Armenian: ուժ (hy) (už)
  • Azerbaijani: güc (az)
  • Bulgarian: сила (bg) f (sila)
  • Czech: síla (cs) f
  • Dutch: kracht (nl), macht (nl) f
  • Egyptian: (pḥtj)
  • Finnish: voima (fi)
  • French: force (fr)
  • Georgian: ძალა (ʒala)
  • German: Kraft (de) f
  • Gothic: 𐌼𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 f (mahts)
  • Greek:
    Ancient: σθένος n (sthénos), ἰσχύς f (iskhús), ῥώμη f (rhṓmē)
  • Hungarian: erő (hu)
  • Italian: forza (it) f
  • Latin: potentia f, vis (la)
  • Macedonian: си́ла f (síla)
  • Occitan: fòrça (oc) f, poténcia (oc) f
  • Old English: afol
  • Plautdietsch: Macht f
  • Polish: siła (pl) f
  • Portuguese: força (pt) f
  • Russian: си́ла (ru) (síla)
  • Slovene: moč (sl) f
  • Spanish: potencia (es), fuerza (es), vis (es)
  • Swedish: kraft (sv) c, styrka (sv) c
  • Tocharian B: maiyyo
  • Turkish: kuvvet (tr)

ability

  • Armenian: կարողություն (hy) (karołutʿyun)
  • Azerbaijani: qüvvət (az)
  • Bulgarian: способност (bg) f (sposobnost)
  • Czech: zdatnost f
  • Dutch: vermogen (nl)
  • Finnish: kyky (fi), voima (fi)
  • German: Macht (de) f, Vermögen (de) n
  • Gothic: 𐌼𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 f (mahts)
  • Hungarian: erő (hu)
  • Latin: potestas (la) f, potentia f
  • Macedonian: мо́жност f (móžnost)
  • Occitan: poder (oc) m
  • Plautdietsch: Macht f
  • Polish: zdolność (pl) f
  • Russian: возмо́жность (ru) (vozmóžnostʹ)
  • Swedish: förmåga (sv) c, makt (sv) c
  • Turkish: güç (tr), kuvvet (tr)

Adjective[edit]

might (comparative mighter, superlative mightest)

  1. (obsolete) Mighty; powerful.
  2. (obsolete) Possible.

Etymology 2[edit]

From Old English meahte and mihte, from magan, whence English may.

Verb[edit]

might (third-person singular simple present might, no present participle, simple past might, no past participle)

  1. (auxiliary) Used to indicate conditional or possible actions.

    I might go to the party, but I haven’t decided yet.

    • 1608, Joseph Hall, Characters of Virtues and Vices
      The characterism of an honest man: He looks not to what he might do, but what he should.

    • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

      “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; […]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

    • 2013 June 7, David Simpson, “Fantasy of navigation”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 36:

      It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

  2. (auxiliary) simple past tense of may Used to indicate permission in past tense.

    He asked me if he might go to the party, but I haven’t decided yet.

    • 1922, James Frazer, The Golden Bough, Chapter 60:
      The king and queen of Tahiti might not touch the ground anywhere but within their hereditary domains; for the ground on which they trod became sacred.
  3. (auxiliary) simple past tense of may Used to indicate possibility in past tense.

    I thought that I might go the next day.

    • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients:

      I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal’lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.

    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess‎[2]:

      Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman’s helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

  4. Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done.

    Hey man, you might have warned me about the thunderstorm.

    • 2018 June 17, Barney Ronay, “Mexico’s Hirving Lozano stuns world champions Germany for brilliant win”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎[3], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 5 August 2019:

      With 14 minutes gone Héctor Moreno might have scored, glancing a header too close to Neuer from a free-kick.

  5. (auxiliary) Even though.

    I might be in a wheelchair, but I still want to be treated as a lady.

    • 2016, Candy Sloan, Wrong Bed Reunion:

      I might play football, but I do know how to read.

  6. (auxiliary) Used in polite requests for permission

    Might I take the last biscuit?

  7. (auxiliary, UK, meiosis) Used to express certainty.

    Yeah, I think we might need something a bit sturdier.

Usage notes[edit]

For many speakers, the use as the past tense of the auxiliary may, indicating permission, is obsolete: I told him he might not see her will only be interpreted as «I told him he would possibly not see her,» and not as «I told him he was not allowed to see her.» For the latter case, «could not» or «was/were not allowed to,» «was/were forbidden to,» etc., will be used instead.

Conjugation[edit]
  • archaic second-person singular simple past — mightest
  • nonstandard, archaic third-person singular simple past — mighteth
Alternative forms[edit]
  • mought (obsolete outside US dialects)
  • mout (US regional pronunciation spelling)
Translations[edit]

indicator of conditional or possible actions

  • Armenian: կարող է (karoł ē), կարող են (karoł en)
  • Bulgarian: please add this translation if you can
  • Dutch: zou kunnen
  • Finnish: saattaa (fi) (in the conditional mood)
  • French: peut-être (fr)
  • Georgian: please add this translation if you can
  • German: könnte (de), könnten (de) pl
  • Greek:
    Ancient: (optative mood +) ἄν (án)
  • Hebrew: עָלוּל‎ (he) m (‘alúl), יָכֹל‎ (he) m (yachól)
  • Hungarian: lehet (hu), talán (hu), esetleg (hu)
  • Italian: potere (it)
  • Japanese: かも知れない (ka mo shirenai)
  • Khmer: ប្រហែល (km) (prɑhael)
  • Korean: please add this translation if you can
  • Macedonian: може (može)
  • Polish: można by
  • Portuguese: poder (pt), talvez (pt)
  • Romanian: putea (ro)
  • Scots: micht
  • Spanish: puede que (es)
  • Swedish: kanske (sv), skulle kunna
  • Thai: please add this translation if you can
  • Turkish: please add this translation if you can
  • Ukrainian: мо́же бу́ти (móže búty)
  • Vietnamese: có lẽ (vi)

See also[edit]

  • could
  • Appendix:English modal verbs
  • Appendix:English tag questions

References[edit]

  • might at OneLook Dictionary Search
Источник

  • Top Definitions
  • Quiz
  • Related Content
  • Might Vs. May
  • Examples
  • British

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

auxiliary verb

simple past tense of may1.

(used to express possibility): They might be at the station.

(used to express advisability): You might at least thank me.

(used in polite requests for permission): Might I speak to you for a moment?

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Words nearby might

miffy, Mifune, mig, migas, miggle, might, mightily, might makes right, mightn’t, mighty, migmatite

Other definitions for might (2 of 2)

noun

physical strength: He swung with all his might.

superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right.

power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity: the might of the ballot box.

Origin of might

2

before 900; Middle English myghte,Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht,Gothic mahts; akin to may1

synonym study for might

OTHER WORDS FROM might

mightless, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MIGHT VS. MAY

What’s the difference between might and may?

Might and may can both be used as auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) that express possibility, as in We may/might have some left—let me check.

Traditionally, might is considered a weaker form of may—meaning that it expresses a lower degree of possibility that something will happen. Some people might intend to use the two words this way, but in practical terms they are often interchangeable when used in this sense—they usually mean just about the same thing.

May and might can also both be used in the context of permission, often as what’s thought to be a more polite substitute for can, as in May/Might I use your restroom? In responses to such questions, it’s usually may that’s used, as in Yes, you may. Saying might in such responses is often meant to make fun of such a use of the word in a way that’s sarcastic or that introduces a condition, usually one that’s not serious, as in Yes, you might, if you knew the password.

May is sometimes used to express a wish, as in May you have success.

Might is sometimes used to express advisability, as in You might ask before you barge in, you know.

In its auxiliary verb sense, might can also be used as the past tense of may. It may seem strange to express possibility in the past tense (now that it is known whether or not something happened), but there are plenty of cases in which it makes sense to do it, such as when it’s still uncertain whether or not something could have happened, as in He might have had a chance to become CEO, but he decided to retire early or She might have come if you had actually invited her. Of course, the word may can also be used in the same way to indicate past tense (She may have come if you had actually invited her).

Here’s an example of might and may used correctly in a sentence.

Example: We might have been able to go today if it hadn’t rained, but in any case we may try to go again tomorrow.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between might and may.

Quiz yourself on might vs. may!

Should may or might be used in the following sentence?

_____ you have a long and happy life!

Words related to might

efficacy, potency, valor, adequacy, arm, authority, capability, capacity, clout, command, competence, control, domination, efficiency, energy, force, forcefulness, get-up-and-go, jurisdiction, lustiness

How to use might in a sentence

  • Aksyonov has great fun inventing a culturally pureed lexicon for his might-have-been cosmopolitan Russians.

  • But the failed stars and might-have-beens make for even more compelling narratives.

  • Like all might-have-beens, this one fades away into airy speculation.

  • No poorest man on earth would change places with this man-that-might-have-been, for his time draws nigh and his end is perdition.

  • His dreams were ended, the «might-have-been» would never be, but he knew that there was peace in that little breast at last.

  • No wonder you are feeling nervous and upset over the might-have-beens.

  • She commented adversely upon each play I made, and in between times lectured me upon might-have-beens.

  • Critics have called Keats and others who died young “the great Might-have-beens of literary history.”

British Dictionary definitions for might (1 of 2)

verb

making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may 1 he might have come last night

(often foll by well) expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come . In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of maySee may 1 (def. 2)

Word Origin for might

OE miht

undefined might

British Dictionary definitions for might (2 of 2)

noun

power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind

physical strength

Word Origin for might

Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Источник

Other forms: mights

Might is physical strength or power. If you try with all your might to climb a difficult rock wall, it means that you try as hard as you can to get to the top.

The noun might means a person’s power or strength, like the might it takes to get a stuck lid off a jar of salsa, or the impressive power of a group, like a country’s military might. Might is also a verb used to express possibility, like when you might go for a walk if it doesn’t rain.

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘might’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Источник

Meaning might

What does might mean? Here you find 9 meanings of the word might. You can also add a definition of might yourself

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Old English miht, earlier mæht «might, bodily strength, power, authority, ability,» from Proto-Germanic *makhti- (source also of Old Norse mattr, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Dutch macht, Old [..]

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might

Old English mihte, meahte, originally the past tense of may (Old English magen «to be able»), thus «*may-ed.» See may (v.). The first record of might-have-been is from 1848.

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might

(n) the month following April and preceding June(n) thorny Eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in ea [..]

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might

opulentia

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might

n. «might, power, strength; ability, capacity,» s.v. might sb. OED. KEY: might@n

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might

n 175 might 2 myght 167 myghte 5 myghtes 1

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might

One of the 3 Hero statistics. Mainly a requirement for using Creatures.

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might

(uncountable,countable) Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.

* »’1969»’, »{unattributed}», [https://books.google.com/books?id=4pI8AQAAIAAJ&q=%22mights%22&dq=%22peace+l [..]

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might

lang=en

1600s=1678
|1800s=1843

* »’1678»’ — . »».
*: Well, when I had thus put mine ends together, I shewed them others, that I might see whether They would condemn them, or them justify: And [..]

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Источник

  • Defenition of the word might

    • Muscular capacity to modify the speed of an external physical object, to deform it or to oppose another force.
    • expresses permission; «You may leave now»; «Can I have another piece of cake?»
    • expresses possibility; «I could do it by myself»
    • physical strength

Synonyms for the word might

    • can
    • capacity
    • could
    • force
    • may
    • mightiness
    • power
    • strength
    • valor

Similar words in the might

    • might
    • mightier
    • mightiest
    • mightily
    • mightiness
    • mightiness’s

Hypernyms for the word might

    • strength

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    • Translation of the word in other languages mimic
Источник
  • Dictionary
  • M
  • Might

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [mahyt]
    • /maɪt/
    • /maɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [mahyt]
    • /maɪt/

Definitions of might word

  • noun might physical strength: He swung with all his might. 1
  • noun might superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right. 1
  • noun might power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity: the might of the ballot box. 1
  • idioms might with might and main, with all the vigor, force, or energy at one’s command: They pulled with might and main. 1
  • noun might See can1.   1
  • noun might In reported speech, expressing possibility or permission. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of might

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; Middle English myghte, Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht, Gothic mahts; akin to may1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Might

might popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between «mom» and «screwdriver».

Synonyms for might

noun might

  • potency — the state or quality of being potent.
  • efficacy — capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness: a remedy of great efficacy.
  • valor — boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery: a medal for valor.
  • control — Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  • force — physical power or strength possessed by a living being: He used all his force in opening the window.

verb might

  • may — the fifth month of the year, containing 31 days.
  • could — You use could to indicate that someone had the ability to do something. You use could not or couldn’t to say that someone was unable to do something.

Antonyms for might

noun might

  • weakness — the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.
  • incompetence — the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.
  • idleness — the quality, state, or condition of being lazy, inactive, or idle: His lack of interest in the larger world and his consummate idleness were the causes of their dreadful divorce.
  • inactivity — not active: an inactive volcano.
  • lethargy — the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.

Top questions with might

  • what might have been?
  • little texas what might have been?
  • what might have been lyrics?
  • what might a cruel character do?
  • they might be giants why does the sun shine?
  • when might you think you re upside down?
  • for what reasons might the freedom of assembly be limited?
  • nobody knows where we might end up?

See also

  • All definitions of might
  • Synonyms for might
  • Antonyms for might
  • Related words to might
  • Sentences with the word might
  • Words that rhyme with might
  • might pronunciation

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Источник

MIGHT

Definition of MIGHT

  1. (noun)physical strength
  • Words Starting With M
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  • Words Starting With MIG
  • Words Starting With MIGH
  • Words Starting With MIGHT
  • Words Ending With T
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  • Nouns Starting With M
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  • Nouns Starting With MIGH
  • Nouns Starting With MIGHT
  • Nouns Ending With T
  • Nouns Ending With HT
  • Nouns Ending With GHT
  • Nouns Ending With IGHT
  • Nouns Ending With MIGHT
  • Verbs Starting With M
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  • Verbs Starting With MIG
  • Verbs Starting With MIGH
  • Verbs Starting With MIGHT
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