Suffice: Definition, Usage & Example Sentences

Meaning 1：be enough (suffice)

suffice 🔊

/ˈsʌf.ɪs/

to be enough for what is needed

Suffice meaning illustrated: A calm student with one pen, showing one tool is enough.

be enough 🔊

➕

/bi ɪˈnʌf/

To meet the basic requirements or needs of a situation; to be adequate.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'sufficere': 'sub-' (under) + 'facere' (to make, do). Means 'to put under' or 'to meet the needs of'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'SUFFICIENT' amount. If something is SUFFICIENT, it will SUFFICE.

📖 Example

For this basic cake recipe, two eggs will suffice. 🔊 This amount meets the requirement for the recipe.

🔗 Collocations

suffice it to say – used to indicate that one is giving a summary statement

less than suffice – to be inadequate or insufficient

suffice for the purpose – to be adequate for a specific aim

🔄 Synonyms

satisfy (v.) – to meet a need, requirement, or condition.

meet (v.) – to fulfill or comply with a requirement.

serve (v.) – to be adequate or suitable for a purpose.

🚫 Antonyms

lack (v.) – to be without or deficient in.

fall short (v.) – to fail to reach a required or expected standard.

🌱 Derivatives

sufficient (adj.) – enough; adequate.

sufficiency (n.) – an adequate amount.

sufficing (adj.) – being enough.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'suffice' entered Middle English via Old French from the Latin 'sufficere'. It embodies a practical, often minimalistic, satisfaction of requirements. It's frequently used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or official correspondence, where it precisely conveys that conditions are adequately met.