May Meaning and Definition
May
Pronunciation
/meɪ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A month of the year, occurring between April and June.
Etymology
The word “May” originates from the Old English word “mao”, which was derived from the Latin word “MAIUS”, meaning “to increase”.
Usage Notes
“May” is commonly used to refer to the month of May, but it is also used as a verb, meaning “to express a hope or wish for something to happen” (e.g. “May you have a happy birthday”).
Cultural References
May has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the phrase “May the Fourth be with you” (a play on the Star Wars phrase “May the Force be with you”).
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- May you live in interesting times
- May the odds be ever in your favor
Related Words or Phrases
- April
- June
- Season
Collocations
- May days
- May morning
- May flowers
Frequency of Use
According to the Oxford English Corpus, “May” is one of the most commonly used months of the year.
Common Misspellings
- Ma
- Mae
- Maeve