What does suffer mean?
To suffer is to experience something painful, difficult, or damaging, such as an illness, emotional distress, hardship, injury, or loss. It is also used for undergoing the consequences of an event or decision: a community may suffer the effects of a natural disaster, or a person may suffer a serious loss. In formal English, “suffer” can mean to allow or tolerate something, as in “she would not suffer anyone to interrupt her.” The common expression “suffer from” is particularly associated with illnesses and long-term problems, whereas “suffer a loss,” “suffer consequences,” and “suffer defeat” describe adverse experiences or outcomes. Although the word can sound serious or dramatic, it is also used in ordinary contexts for everything from minor discomfort to severe adversity. It is especially useful when emphasizing that a person or group bears pain or harmful consequences.
To experience pain, hardship, loss, or an adverse condition; to endure or undergo something adverse.
"The workers suffered serious injuries in the accident."
Use “suffer from” with illnesses and persistent conditions; use forms such as “suffer a loss” or “suffer consequences” for particular adverse events.
To allow or tolerate something, especially in formal or literary contexts.
"The ruler would not suffer the prisoners to leave without permission."
This use is less common in everyday speech than the senses involving pain or hardship.
To suffer is to endure hardship; to suffer for a cause is to accept that hardship for a purpose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suffer come from?
The word comes through Old French “sofrir” from Latin “sufferre,” formed from the prefix “sub-,” meaning under, and “ferre,” meaning to bear or carry. The original sense developed from bearing or enduring pain and hardship into the modern meanings of experiencing adversity or permitting something to happen. Related forms in several Romance languages, including French “souffrir,” Italian “soffrire,” Spanish “sufrir,” and Portuguese “sofrer,” preserve the same Latin inheritance.
Related word forms
How suffer is actually used
The phrase “suffer from” is especially common with illnesses and ongoing conditions. “Suffer” on its own often has a formal or literary tone, while “suffer someone to do something” is more formal still.
Easily confused with suffer
To suffer means to experience hardship or pain, whereas to suffice means to be enough or adequate.
To suffer means to endure or experience something adverse, whereas to offer means to present or provide something.