Suffice

Pronunciation: /səˈfaɪs/

Definitions of suffice

verb to be enough or adequate; to meet the needs of a situation

Example Sentences

A1 I have enough money to suffice for my needs this month.

A2 A simple apology will suffice to make things right.

B1 A brief explanation should suffice to clarify the situation.

B2 His experience and skills suffice to qualify him for the job.

C1 The evidence presented should suffice to prove his innocence.

C2 Her extensive knowledge of the subject suffices to make her an expert in the field.

Examples of suffice in a Sentence

formal A brief explanation of the process should suffice for now.

informal Just a simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice, thanks.

slang Dude, a quick text will suffice to let them know you're running late.

figurative Sometimes a smile can suffice as a response to show gratitude.

Grammatical Forms of suffice

• past tense: sufficed
• plural: suffice
• present tense: suffices
• future tense: will suffice
• perfect tense: have sufficed
• continuous tense: is sufficing
• singular: suffice
• positive degree: sufficient
• infinitive: to suffice
• gerund: sufficing
• participle: sufficing

Origin and Evolution of suffice

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'suffice' originated from the Latin word 'sufficere', which is a combination of 'sub-' (under) and 'facere' (to make).

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'suffice' has retained its original meaning of being adequate or satisfactory, but has also come to be used in a broader sense to mean meeting a particular need or requirement.