Sufficient

/səˈfɪʃənt/

adjectivemediumVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Enough; adequate; of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement.

/səˈfɪʃənt/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Enough to meet a need or purpose.

The evidence presented was sufficient to convict the suspect.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a bag of chips and it’s just the right amount to share with your friends – not too much, not too little. That bag is sufficient!

👶 For kids: Enough to do the job!

More Examples

2

I have sufficient time to finish the project before the deadline.

3

Is there sufficient food for everyone at the party?

How It's Used

Finance

"The company had sufficient funds to cover its expenses."

Science

"Sufficient data was collected to support the hypothesis."

Idioms & expressions

sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

Don't worry about future troubles; deal with the present.

"When you are feeling overwhelmed with future concerns, remind yourself that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

From Latin *sufficiens*, present participle of *sufficere* 'to supply, be enough', from *sub* 'up to' + *facere* 'to make, do'.

The word 'sufficient' has been used since the 14th century and has consistently meant 'enough' or 'adequate'.

Memory tip

Think of 'suffice' - if something suffices, it's enough.

sufficentsufficiant

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written