Suffice
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /səˈfaɪs/
- Rhymes: -aɪs
Origin
From Middle English suffisen, from Middle French souffire, from Latin sufficiÅ ("supply, be adequate"), from sub ("under") + faciÅ ("do, make"). Cognate with French suffire.
Full definition of suffice
Verb
- (intransitive) To be enough or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate.Two capsules of fish oil a day suffices.
- MiltonTo recount almighty works,
What words or tongue of seraph can suffice? - (transitive) To satisfy; to content; to be equal to the wants or demands of.A joint of lamb sufficed even his enormous appetite.
- 1838, The Church of England quarterly review (page 203)Lord Brougham's salary would have sufficed more than ninety Prussian judges.
- To furnish; to supply adequately.
Related terms
Usage notes
Commonly used in the phrase suffice it to say.
Mostly used in modal verb constructions, such as: Half a loaf per day '
will suffice. This is much more common than the direct form Half a loaf per day suffices'.