かもしれません

Meanings

usually written using kana alonepolite (teineigo)

Polite expression of uncertainty, attached after a plain-form clause, adjective, or noun phrase. It is the polite counterpart of かもしれない and is common in careful conversation and writing.

Kanji

知know, wisdom

Related words

かもしれないN3
かもしれません is the polite form used in formal speech or writing, while かもしれない is the plain form used with friends or in casual writing, both meaning 'may/might'.
かも
かも is a very casual, clipped form of かもしれません, often used sentence-finally in relaxed conversation, whereas かもしれません is polite and appropriate in formal contexts.
でしょう
でしょう expresses a confident guess closer to 'probably', while かもしれません emphasizes mere possibility, closer to 'maybe/might'.

Etymology

A polite fixed expression corresponding to かもしれない, historically analyzable as か + も + 知れません, literally suggesting that something 'cannot be known' for sure. In modern use it functions as a modal expression meaning 'may' or 'might' and is usually written in kana.