suffice
suh-FYS
Suffice (verb) means to be enough for a purpose or need. Example: “A quick apology should suffice.”
verb
1
To be enough for a purpose or need.
"A quick apology should suffice."
"Suffice it to say, the meeting did not go well."
"For this plum cake, two eggs should suffice."
How to use suffice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be enough.
Common mistake
The phrase "suffice it to say" is a fixed idiom meaning "it's enough to say" — it doesn't change form.
Common pairings
suffice it to say
more than suffice
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- suffices
- Past tense
- sufficed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A quick apology should _____.
Etymology
From Middle French souffire, from Latin sufficere, "to supply, be adequate," from sub- ("under") plus facere ("to make, do").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for suffice
See all rhymes for suffice →Frequently asked questions
What does “suffice” mean?
The word “suffice” means to be enough for a purpose or need. In plain terms, to be enough.
How do you pronounce “suffice”?
“Suffice” is pronounced suh-FYS (/səˈfaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “suffice” in a sentence?
Here is “suffice” used in a sentence: “A quick apology should suffice.”
What is another word for “suffice”?
Words with a similar meaning to “suffice” include do.
What part of speech is “suffice”?
“Suffice” is a verb.
Where does the word “suffice” come from?
The word “suffice” comes from Latin. From Middle French souffire, from Latin sufficere, "to supply, be adequate," from sub- ("under") plus facere ("to make, do").
Is “suffice” a common word?
“Suffice” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
