| Main Entry: | may |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | grant permission |
Synonyms: |
be allowed, be authorized, be permitted, can, can do |
| Notes: | can applies to what is possible and may to what is permissible; can means 'able to,' may means 'permitted to' may is more optimistic than might; may carries the idea of permission while might suggests likelihood |
| Main Entry: | may |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | concede possibility |
Synonyms: |
be going to, shall, should, will |
| Main Entry: | can |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | be able |
Synonyms: |
be capable of, be equal to, be up to, be within one's area, be within one's control, can do, commit, could, cut the mustard, have it made, lie in one's power, make it, make out, make the grade, manage, may, take care of |
| Notes: | can applies to what is possible and may to what is permissible; can means 'able to,' may means 'permitted to' |
Antonyms: |
cannot |
