suffice
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
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to be adequate or satisfactory for (something)
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(takes a clause as object) let us say no more than that; I shall just say that
Usage
What does suffice mean? To suffice is to be just enough, or adequate, as in I can fold the laundry later, so taking the clothes out of the dryer will suffice. When something suffices, it might not meet all your needs, but it will meet at least a minimum of them. For example, you might feel somewhat rested when you get seven hours of sleep but really well rested when you get nine hours. Nine hours of sleep might be most desirable, but seven hours suffices. Example: It could be better, but I suppose this will suffice.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has sufficedperfect 3rd person singular
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have sufficedperfect
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are sufficingprogressive
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am sufficingprogressive 1st person singular
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sufficingparticiple
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sufficessingular 3rd person
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is sufficingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been sufficingperfect progressive
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has been sufficingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had sufficedperfect
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was sufficingprogressive singular
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had been sufficingperfect progressive
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sufficedparticiple
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were sufficingprogressive plural
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sufficedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of suffice
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English sufficen, from Latin sufficere “to put under, supply, be capable,” from suf- suf- + -ficere, combining form of facere “to do, make” ( see also do 1); replacing Middle English suffisen, from Old French, from Latin, as above
Explanation
To suffice is to be enough, in either quality or quantity. It may not be gourmet all the time, but if your food is healthy, it will suffice. The word suffice comes from a combination of the Latin words sub ("under") and facere ("make") that together mean "meet the need of." This need is usually the bare minimum — no leftovers, nothing fancy. The common phrase "Suffice it to say" means "I'll just say" or "All that needs to be said is...."
Vocabulary lists containing suffice
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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"Easter, 1916" by W.B. Yeats
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The Book Thief
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America," he said.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
Suffice to say, Frau Platter had a lot on her plate.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
"Suffice to say that since the onset of the Ukrainian war there's been heightened activity on the cyber security front, in terms of maritime issues and in terms of drones."
From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025
Suffice to say, it did not soothe the doctors’ concerns.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025
Suffice it to say, the result is untidy.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
