Enough

/ɪˈnʌf/

adjectiveBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Sufficient in quantity or degree; as much or as many as required.

/ɪˈnʌf/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Sufficient to meet a need or requirement.

There's enough space in the car for all of us.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're making cookies. If you have *enough* sugar, you can make your cookies sweet. If you don't have *enough*, they won't be very good!

👶 For kids: When you have as much as you need!

More Examples

2

Do you have enough time to finish the project?

3

She wasn't strong enough to lift the heavy box.

How It's Used

General Usage

"Do you have enough money to buy the tickets?"

Food & Drink

"Is there enough food for everyone?"

2

To the required degree or extent; sufficiently.

/ɪˈnʌf/

adverbneutralBeginner
General

To a satisfactory degree; sufficiently.

She didn't study hard enough for the test.

💡 Simply: If you practice *enough*, you will get better at playing your favorite sport! It means you've done it to the right amount so you can see the result you hoped for.

👶 For kids: When you've done something as much as you need to!

More Examples

2

Is the water hot enough for a bath?

3

You're old enough to know better.

How It's Used

General Usage

"He didn't run fast enough to win the race."

Expressions of Opinion

"I've had enough of this noise!"

Tip:Think of a scale. If it tilts to the right just the right amount, you have ENOUGH.
3

An amount or number that is sufficient or as much or as many as required.

/ɪˈnʌf/

nounneutralmedium
General

An adequate amount or number.

There wasn't enough for everyone.

💡 Simply: When you have *enough* money to buy something, you have the right amount! Like, 'Do you have *enough* money to buy a candy?'

👶 For kids: When you have the right amount of something!

More Examples

2

I've had enough of your complaining.

3

That's enough of that nonsense.

How It's Used

General Usage

"We didn't have enough to go around."

Everyday Conversation

"That's enough, now!"

Tip:Picture a pile of coins. If the pile is big enough to pay for something, you have ENOUGH.

Idioms & expressions

had enough

Reached the limit of one's patience or tolerance; no longer willing to endure something.

"I've had enough of these rude customers, I am going home!"

enough is enough

Used to indicate that one has reached the limit of what one will tolerate; the point at which one will no longer endure something.

"The constant interruptions were becoming intolerable. Enough is enough!"

From Old English *genōg* (akin to German *genug*), meaning 'sufficient' or 'abundant'. Related to the verb 'to grant' reflecting the idea of providing or allowing enough.

Used since Old English, *genōg* has maintained its core meaning over centuries. Common in both everyday speech and literary works.

Memory tip

Imagine a big pot. If it's FULL, you have ENOUGH!

Base: enough
enuffenuf

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written