suf ‧ fi ‧ cient S2 W2 AC /səˈfɪʃ ə nt/ BrE AmE adjective formal
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ suffice ; noun : ↑ sufficiency ; adverb : ↑ sufficiently ≠ ↑ insufficiently ; adjective : ↑ sufficient ≠ ↑ insufficient ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of sufficere ; ⇨ ↑ suffice ]
as much as is needed for a particular purpose SYN enough OPP insufficient :
We can only prosecute if there is sufficient evidence.
Unauthorized absence is sufficient reason for dismissal.
We need sufficient time to deal with the problem.
sufficient to do something
The money is not sufficient to cover everything that needs doing.
sufficient for
The recipe is sufficient for six people.
—sufficiently adverb :
Students must reach a sufficiently high standard to pass.
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THESAURUS
▪ enough /ɪˈnʌf/ as much or as many as necessary, or as you want:
My family never had enough money for holidays abroad.
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Have you had enough to eat?
▪ sufficient formal enough for a particular purpose:
The police did not have sufficient evidence to justify a charge.
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The accuracy of the older technique was sufficient for our needs.
▪ adequate formal enough in quantity or good enough in quality for a particular purpose:
All staff must be given adequate training in health and safety.
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The heating system was barely adequate.
▪ ample more than enough for what is needed:
Local residents will be given ample opportunity to express their views.
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People used to think that 1 GB of memory was ample for the average personal computer.
▪ plenty an amount that is enough or more than enough:
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport.
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Your daughter won’t need much cash at camp ($20-$25 will be plenty).
▪ something will do/something should do spoken used to say that a particular number or amount will be enough for what you need:
‘How many envelopes do you want?’ ‘Ten should do.’