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definitions

suffice

[suh-fahys, -fahyz]
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verb (used without object), suf·ficed, suf·fic·ing.

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

verb (used with object), suf·ficed, suf·fic·ing.

to be enough or adequate for; satisfy.

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RELATED WORDS

satisfy, do, serve, content, suit, answer, meet, avail

Nearby words

  1. sufferance,
  2. sufferer,
  3. suffering,
  4. sufferingly,
  5. suffern,
  6. suffice it to say,
  7. sufficiency,
  8. sufficient,
  9. sufficient condition,
  10. sufficient reason

Origin of suffice

1275–1325; Middle English sufficen < Latin sufficere to supply, suffice, equivalent to suf- suf- + -ficere, combining form of facere to make, do1; replacing Middle English suffisen < Old French < Latin, as above
Related formsun·suf·fic·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for suffice

British Dictionary definitions for suffice

suffice

verb

to be adequate or satisfactory for (something)
suffice it to say that (takes a clause as object) let us say no more than that; I shall just say that
Derived Formssufficer, noun

Word Origin for suffice

C14: from Old French suffire, from Latin sufficere from sub- below + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for suffice

suffice

v.

early 14c., from stem of Old French souffire "be sufficient," from Latin sufficere "supply, suffice," from sub "up to" (see sub-) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Phrase suffice it to say (late 14c.) is a rare surviving subjunctive.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper