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.
But the plan would require Ukraine to cap its armed forces at an arbitrary level that wouldn’t suffice to deter or resist future aggression.
The United States sat out the first few years of both 20th-century world wars, hoping arms supplies alone would suffice to counter unconscionable aggression.
From Washington Post
As part of our quest, we became aware of contradictory findings in macaques and other nonhuman primates, which had not at the time sufficed to challenge the homunculus metaphor.
From Scientific American
But as is, this goodhearted if at times misguided version may suffice for its often amusing and touching moments and as a reminder of Romano’s everyman skill in front of a camera.
From Los Angeles Times
Another possibility is that, rather than three black holes scattering off one another like billiards, two coming together as one could suffice.
From Scientific American
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.
