What does suffice mean?
“Suffice” is a formal verb meaning “to be enough” or “to meet what is required.” It is used when a person, amount, explanation, piece of evidence, or other resource is adequate for a particular purpose. For example, a brief summary may suffice instead of a full report, or a single explanation may suffice to settle a question. The word has a precise, somewhat formal tone and is especially common in professional, academic, and legal contexts, though it is also used in ordinary conversation. Its close adjective cognate, “sufficient,” appears in familiar phrases such as “sufficient evidence” and “sufficient time.” “Suffice” is useful when you want to state that no more is needed without sounding dismissive or abrupt.
verbTo be enough; to meet the necessary requirements. In formal usage, it can also mean to provide what is needed.
- To be enough or adequate.
- To meet or satisfy a requirement, purpose, or need.
- To be present in sufficient quantity; to last or serve for a stated purpose.
"A concise explanation should suffice for the presentation."
"The available evidence suffices to support the conclusion."
"One bottle of water will suffice for the journey."
"A few clarifying remarks will suffice to complete the discussion."
“Suffice” comes from the Latin for “be enough,” making it a formal way to say that a person or thing has done all that is necessary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suffice come from?
The word comes from Latin sufficere, meaning “to be enough” or “to suffice,” formed from suf- and facere, “to do.” The related Latin adjective sufficiens, meaning “sufficient” or “adequate,” helped produce English “sufficient” and “sufficiency.” The verb entered English in the late Middle English period and has remained relatively uncommon in everyday speech compared with its more familiar modern relatives.
Related word forms
How suffice is actually used
Chiefly formal or literary. In everyday speech, “be enough,” “do,” or “will do” is usually more natural. The phrase “suffice to say” is common in writing.
Easily confused with suffice
“Suffice” is a verb meaning “be enough” or “meet requirements,” whereas “sufficient” is an adjective meaning “enough” or “adequate.”