suffice

[suh-fahys, -fahyz]

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.

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. 2018

Related Words for suffices

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

Examples from the Web for suffices

Contemporary Examples of suffices

It suffices to say that nothing has happened on this score, and I would be shocked to see that change in 2014.
The Biggest Broken Promises from Last Year’s State of the Union
Jamelle Bouie
January 28, 2014
Most of us like ourselves very much, and that suffices to explain self-assessments that are biased in a particular direction.
Daniel Kahneman Talks Intuition and Optimism With Sam Harris
Sam Harris
November 30, 2011

Historical Examples of suffices

"It suffices—I thank thee," said the Hebrew, with a touch of gratitude in his voice.
Leila, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The mere mention of him suffices to send up a paper's sales!
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Yet, in general, a few minutes suffices for the whole trial of a case.
Dr. Sevier
George W. Cable
The Gorgon stares you out of countenance, and that suffices.
The Creed of the Old South 1865-1915
Basil L. Gildersleeve
That which suffices for a plant cannot be sufficient for him.
Spontaneous Activity in Education
Maria Montessori

British Dictionary definitions for suffices

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 suffices

suffice

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.