enough
0 antonyms and opposites of enough, grouped by meaning.
Determiner — As much or as many as needed; a sufficient amount.
How to use enough
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English genōg, meaning "sufficient," tracing back to a very old Germanic root shared with Dutch genoeg and German genug.
Full origin of enough →Frequently asked questions
What does “enough” mean?
The word “enough” means as much or as many as needed; a sufficient amount. In plain terms, as much as you need — no more, no less.
How do you pronounce “enough”?
“Enough” is pronounced ih-NUHF (/ɪˈnʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “enough” in a sentence?
Here is “enough” used in a sentence: “There's enough food for everyone at the party.”
What part of speech is “enough”?
Depending on how it is used, “enough” can be a determiner, an adverb, an interjection and a noun.
Where does the word “enough” come from?
The word “enough” comes from Old English. From Old English genōg, meaning "sufficient," tracing back to a very old Germanic root shared with Dutch genoeg and German genug.
Is “enough” a common word?
“Enough” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “enough” have?
“Enough” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: as much or as many as needed; a sufficient amount.
What is the difference between 'enough' and 'sufficient'?
They carry the same meaning — as much or as many as needed — but differ in tone. 'Enough' is the plain, everyday word, as in 'enough food.' 'Sufficient' is more formal and common in writing or official language, as in 'sufficient evidence.' In casual speech, 'enough' almost always sounds more natural.
What is the difference between 'enough' and 'too much'?
'Enough' is the right amount — exactly what is needed. 'Too much' goes beyond that point, an excess that can cause its own problems, while 'not enough' falls short. Think of a simple scale: too little at one end, enough as the ideal middle, and too much at the far end.
Where does 'enough' go in a sentence?
'Enough' comes before a noun, as in 'enough time,' but after an adjective or adverb, as in 'good enough' or 'fast enough.' As a pronoun it can also stand alone: 'that's enough.' This shifting position — before nouns yet after adjectives — is a frequent point of confusion for learners.
Is 'enough' positive or negative?
It is neutral to mildly positive, since it signals that a need has been met. But tone matters: 'enough' can also express impatience or a limit reached, as in 'Enough!' or 'I've had enough.' Context decides whether it means quiet satisfaction or a firm demand to stop.