suffice
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to be adequate or satisfactory for (something)
-
(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
- sufficer noun
- unsufficing adjective
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” ( do 1 ); replacing Middle English suffisen, from Old French, from Latin, as above
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.
A simple “thank you” would not suffice for 30 to 60 minutes of your time, especially in the wake of such a dangerous cold front.
From MarketWatch
Potato sacks were restitched as dresses for the girls while ugly brogans that didn’t fit had to suffice as shoes.
From Los Angeles Times
The streets of America did not need to be paved with gold; it would suffice to be less mired in muck.
Solomon’s response didn’t suffice for Wells Fargo’s Mike Mayo, who followed up by needling the investment bank.
Conféderation Rurale and Conféderation Paysanne say the policy is being brutally applied, and is in any case unnecessary because a combination of selective culling and vaccination would suffice.
From BBC
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.
