sufficient
suh-FIH-shuhnt
Sufficient (adj) means Enough for a particular purpose; adequate. Example: “They had sufficient evidence to bring charges.”
adj
1
Enough for a particular purpose; adequate.
"They had sufficient evidence to bring charges."
"Is one hour sufficient time to finish the exam?"
"Make sure the cake gets sufficient time in the oven to cook through."
How to use sufficient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs much as is needed — no more, no less.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sufficient evidence
sufficient time
sufficient funds
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sufficient
- Superlative
- most sufficient
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They had _____ evidence to bring charges.
Etymology
From Old French sufisant, from Latin sufficiens, the present participle of sufficere ("to suffice").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sufficient
See all rhymes for sufficient →Frequently asked questions
What does “sufficient” mean?
The word “sufficient” means enough for a particular purpose; adequate. In plain terms, as much as is needed — no more, no less.
How do you pronounce “sufficient”?
“Sufficient” is pronounced suh-FIH-shuhnt (/səˈfɪʃənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sufficient” in a sentence?
Here is “sufficient” used in a sentence: “They had sufficient evidence to bring charges.”
What is the opposite of “sufficient”?
The opposite of “sufficient” — its antonyms — are insufficient, nonsufficient and unsufficient.
What part of speech is “sufficient”?
“Sufficient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sufficient” come from?
The word “sufficient” comes from Latin. From Old French sufisant, from Latin sufficiens, the present participle of sufficere ("to suffice").
Is “sufficient” a common word?
“Sufficient” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'sufficient' and 'enough'?
Both mean adequate for a particular purpose, but 'sufficient' is more formal and common in writing, while 'enough' is everyday and conversational. 'Enough' can also follow the word it modifies, as in 'good enough', whereas 'sufficient' comes before the noun.
What is the difference between 'sufficient' and 'adequate'?
They are close in meaning, both suggesting enough for a purpose. 'Adequate' can carry a hint of 'just barely acceptable', while 'sufficient' focuses more neutrally on there being enough to meet the need.
What is the difference between 'sufficient' and 'efficient'?
These are often confused but unrelated in meaning. Sufficient means enough or adequate for a purpose, while efficient means working well without wasting time or resources. A supply can be sufficient without being efficient.
Do you say 'sufficient for' or 'sufficient to'?
Both are correct in different structures. Use 'sufficient for' before a noun, as in 'sufficient for the task', and 'sufficient to' before a verb, as in 'sufficient to cover the cost'.
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