perchance

Perchance is an English adverb meaning perhaps or possibly. It is primarily associated with older or literary usage and is now considered archaic or poetic in contemporary English. The word conveys speculation about a future event or outcome rather than a definite assertion of fact.

The term derives from Middle English per-chance, formed from per- “by, through” plus chance “fortune, luck, incident.” The sense shifted from “by chance” to “perhaps” in many contexts, and the word has remained common in older texts while fading from everyday speech.

Perchance is typically found at the beginning of a clause, e.g., Perchance he will return before dawn, and may be punctuated with a comma after the introductory adverb. In modern writing, “perhaps” or “maybe” are more natural. The word is common in translations of Shakespearean or Renaissance poetry and in fantasy or antiquated dialogue to evoke a historical tone.

Synonyms include perhaps and maybe; the phrase “by chance” is a direct modern equivalent. It should not be overused in contemporary prose, lest it read as overly archaic.