suffice

[suh-fahys, -fahyz]

verb (used without object)

sufficed, sufficing 

1. to be enough or adequate, as for needs, purposes, etc.

verb (used with object)

sufficed, sufficing 

1. to be enough or adequate for; satisfy.

suffice

/ səˈfaɪs /

verb

1. to be adequate or satisfactory for (something)

2. (takes a clause as object) let us say no more than that; I shall just say that

Other Word Forms

• sufficer noun
• unsufficing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suffice¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suffice¹

C14: from Old French suffire, from Latin sufficere from sub- below + facere to make

Example Sentences

The Dodgers have been so good for so long that nothing but a World Series championship would suffice.

From Los Angeles Times

Lee can be a smooth talker and an adept liar, except in situations where only the truth will suffice.

From Salon

For most of them, a hotel room or Airbnb will suffice.

From Los Angeles Times

Foster preferred to let the team’s social media posts and internally produced video series suffice as the story of his team.

From Los Angeles Times

Those test results “sufficed,” Prosper said, and the company “was not made to re-do the tests.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• get by 
• satisfy 

When To Use

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.