perchance
gb/pɚt͡ʃˈæns/ us/pɚt͡ʃˈæns/
C1
English
~ 27300
talán, netán
C1
LITERARY
1
Usage pattern:
perchance [clause]
He wondered, perchance, if she still waited for him by the old gate.
Azon tűnődött, talán még mindig a régi kapunál vár-e rá.
Should you perchance visit our town again, you will always find a welcome here.
Ha netán újra ellátogat a városunkba, itt mindig szíves fogadtatásra talál.
Perchance the letter was lost in the post, and that is why no answer came.
If perchance you see my brother, tell him I am well.
I asked, perchance, whether the rumors held any truth.
Learner examples
The word ‘perchance’ is used in old books to mean ‘perhaps’.
A „perchance” szót régi könyvekben a „perhaps” jelentésében használják.
If perchance you read this, please write back.
Ha netán ezt olvasod, kérlek, írj vissza.
She thought, perchance, he might come the next day.
Perchance the train is late, so we will wait a little longer.
You may see this word in poems, perchance in Shakespeare.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think ‘perchance’ is normal in everyday modern conversation. In fact, it sounds archaic or poetic, and in almost all modern situations you should use ‘perhaps’ or ‘maybe’ instead. Some also confuse ‘perchance’ with the two-word phrase ‘per chance’, which is not standard.
Meaning
perhaps; possibly; by chance
Collocations
if perchance
|perchance to dream
|you perchance
|might perchance
|should you perchance
Synonyms
perhaps (Most common modern equivalent; neutral style, unlike the literary tone of ‘perchance’.)
|
maybe (Very common and informal; ‘perchance’ sounds much more old-fashioned or poetic.)
|
possibly (Slightly more formal than ‘maybe’; does not have the archaic or poetic flavor of ‘perchance’.)
Antonyms
certainly (Expresses strong certainty, the opposite of the uncertainty suggested by ‘perchance’.)
|
definitely (Indicates that something is sure to happen, contrasting with the doubtful or possible nature of ‘perchance’.)
Themes
literature
|language
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used in old or literary English to mean ‘perhaps’ or ‘maybe’.
Used, especially in literary or old-fashioned style, to mean ‘perhaps’, ‘possibly’, or ‘by chance’.
Grammar
Dictionary form
perchance
IPA
GB/pɚt͡ʃˈæns/
US/pɚt͡ʃˈæns/
Syllables & stress
per - chance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: perchance
- Plural: perchances
Word family
Expressions
if perchance
1/ˈɪf pɚt͡ʃˈæns/
fixed phrase
literary
if by chance; if perhaps
A literary or old-fashioned way to say ‘if by chance’ or ‘if perhaps’, often used to introduce a possible but uncertain situation.
Examples
- If perchance you pass by my old house, you will see the garden I planted long ago.
- If perchance he writes again, I will answer at once.
- Take this map with you, if perchance you lose your way in the forest.
perchance to dream
1/pɚt͡ʃˈæns tə dɹˈim/
fixed phrase
literary
possibly to dream after death
A famous literary phrase (from Shakespeare) meaning that after death there might possibly be dreams; often quoted to talk about the unknown things that may come after a big change or after death.
Examples
- The line “to sleep, perchance to dream” is one of the most quoted phrases from Hamlet.
- He ended his speech with a quiet, “To sleep, perchance to dream,” hinting at the uncertain future.
- Writers often use “perchance to dream” as a title when they explore what might happen after death.