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Sufficient vs Suffice - What's the difference?

sufficient | suffice | Related terms |

Suffice is a related term of sufficient.



As an adjective sufficient

is equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as.

As a determiner sufficient

is the smallest amount needed.

As a verb suffice is

to be enough or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate.

sufficient

English

(Webster 1913)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as,
    • We have provision sufficient for the family
    This army is sufficient to defend the country.
    There is not sufficient access to the internet in the some small country villages.
  • Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.
    • A two-week training course is sufficient to get a job in the coach-driving profession.
  • (archaic) Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
  • * 1668 , (Samuel Pepys), December 23 1668
    • ...to take the best ways we can, to make it known to the Duke of York; for, till Sir J. Minnes be removed, and a sufficient man brought into W. Pen's place, when he is gone, it is impossible for this Office ever to support itself.
  • self-sufficient; self-satisfied; content.

    • Derived terms

    * self-sufficient * sufficiency * sufficiently

    Related terms

    * suffice

    See also

    * adequate * ample * enough * plenty

    Determiner

    (en determiner)
  • The smallest amount needed.
    • Sufficient of us are against this idea that we should stop now.

    Statistics

    *

    External links

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    suffice

    English

    Verb

    (suffic)
  • 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 .
  • * Milton
    • To recount almighty works, / What words or tongue of seraph can suffice ?
  • 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

    * satisfice * sufficient

    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 .

    External links

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