sufficient

American  

[suh-fish-uhnt] / səˈfɪʃ ənt /

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.

3. Archaic. competent.

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sufficient British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a sufficient quantity

Other Word Forms

• oversufficient adjective
• oversufficiently adverb
• presufficient adjective
• presufficiently adverb
• quasi-sufficient adjective
• quasi-sufficiently adverb
• sufficiently adverb
• supersufficient adjective
• supersufficiently adverb

Etymology

Origin of sufficient

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”; see suffice

Explanation

If you have a sufficient amount of something, it's enough — not too much, not too little, just right. Goldilocks would be pleased. Sufficient comes from a Latin verb meaning "to meet the need." If something is sufficient it has met, or satisfied, a need. Enough is often used as a synonym for sufficient, and when something is not sufficient, it is too little to take care of what's needed. Sufficient can, however, also suggest just enough and not an abundance, as in "the money was sufficient for groceries, but we needed more to fill the gas tank."

Example Sentences

A backlight sufficient to be useful would disturb the laminar flow of air rushing across the rear decklid, increasing shearing turbulence and drag at the back of the car.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Because diffusion becomes less efficient over longer distances, researchers concluded that modern oxygen levels would not be sufficient to support the energy demands of extremely large flying insects.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

On Thursday, the judge ruled there wasn't sufficient "clear and convincing" evidence that the women made the accusation with "actual malice", as is required when a public figure is suing for defamation in California.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The California Energy Commission, which tracks fuel inventory, said the state’s current jet fuel stock is sill sufficient.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

It is a far from sufficient definition, to be sure, since human beings make many things other than works of art.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

• acceptable
• ample
• plentiful
• satisfactory
• tolerable