enough
ih-NUHF
Enough (determiner) means As much or as many as needed; a sufficient amount. Example: “There's enough food for everyone at the party.”
determiner
1
As much or as many as needed; a sufficient amount.
"There's enough food for everyone at the party."
"We don't have enough time to finish today."
"Do we have enough chairs for all the guests?"
adverb
1
To the necessary degree; sufficiently.
"Is the soup hot enough to serve?"
"He didn't practice enough before the exam."
"She is old enough to travel to school on her own."
interjection
1
Used to demand that something stop because it has gone too far.
""Enough!" she shouted, slamming the door."
"Enough! I won't listen to another word of this nonsense."
"Enough, you two, or I'm turning this car around right now!"
noun
1
A sufficient quantity; as much as is needed.
"Is there enough for everyone, or should I order more pizza?"
"We made a big pot of soup, and there was enough to freeze."
"I've had enough of his excuses."
How to use enough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs much as you need — no more, no less.
Common mistake
"Enough" goes after the adjective it modifies ("good enough," not "enough good"), but before a noun ("enough time," not "time enough" in modern usage).
Common pairings
enough time
good enough
more than enough
that's enough
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Word forms
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There's _____ food for everyone at the party.
Etymology
From Old English genōg, meaning "sufficient," tracing back to a very old Germanic root shared with Dutch genoeg and German genug.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for enough
See all rhymes for 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.
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