sufficient

[ suh-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. adequate for the purpose; enough:

   sufficient proof;

   sufficient protection.

   Antonyms: inadequate, scant, meager

2. Logic. (of a condition) such that its existence leads to the occurrence of a given event or the existence of a given thing. Compare necessary ( def 4c ).
3. Archaic. competent.

sufficient

/ səˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. enough to meet a need or purpose; adequate
2. logic (of a condition) assuring the truth of a statement; requiring but not necessarily required by some other state of affairs Compare necessary
3. archaic.
   competent; capable

noun

1. a sufficient quantity

Derived Forms

• sufˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• suf·ficient·ly adverb
• over·suf·ficient adjective
• over·suf·ficient·ly adverb
• presuf·ficient adjective
• presuf·ficient·ly adverb
• quasi-suf·ficient adjective
• quasi-suf·ficient·ly adverb
• super·suf·ficient adjective
• super·suf·ficient·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sufficient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin sufficient-, stem of sufficiēns “supplying,” present participle of sufficere “to supply, suffice,” equivalent to suf- suf- + -ficere, combining form of facere “to do, make”; suffice

Word History and Origins

Origin of sufficient¹

C14: from Latin sufficiens supplying the needs of, from sufficere to suffice

Example Sentences

“The level of outside support… has not been sufficient enough for them to distance themselves from al Nusra,” Cafarella said.

From The Daily Beast

It's probably necessary for success in the long term, but it's far, far, far from sufficient.

From The Daily Beast

Suspicion of exposure to Ebola, for example, is sufficient to justify mandatory isolation.

From The Daily Beast

The scientists were able to extract sufficient DNA from the roots, and they did indeed find the virus fossils.

From The Daily Beast

Whitefish, Montana, where NPI is based, is apparently not sufficient.

From The Daily Beast

The Texians laughed at the fanfarronades of the dons, and did not attach sufficient importance to these formidable preparations.

From Project Gutenberg

What he has done in any one species or distinct kind of writing would have been sufficient to have acquired him a great name.

From Project Gutenberg

The engineer officer charged with preparing the line of retreat reported that the one bridge across the Elster was not sufficient.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he cut away the knobs by which he climbed to it, until there was barely sufficient for his own tiny toes to rest on.

From Project Gutenberg

I have only set down part of this Peal, which is sufficient to shew the course and method thereof.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acceptable
• ample
• plentiful
• satisfactory
• tolerable