Suffice Definition – Meaning and Usage in a Sentence

Learning a new word to add to your growing vocabulary feels exciting to many English enthusiasts. Some people even have an app on their phones to teach them a new word every day. But do you know that learning about the “suffice definition, meaning, and usage” is among the best ways to boost your vocabulary further since you know how to use the word correctly?

Suffice means “enough or adequate to satisfy a specific need.” It is also defined as “equal to the end suggested or meeting the credentials to complete a task.” The words appease, answer, fulfill, satisfy, or plenty are acceptable synonyms that replace suffice as you use the word in sentences.

Learning a new word every day is a good start, but not knowing the different meanings and uses of the word you’re learning will hinder your ability to use the word correctly. In this article, we aim to help you understand how to use the word suffice precisely. Additionally, there will be an overview of the word’s spelling, pronunciation, history, and several sentences that incorporate the word for your practice later on.

What Is the Definition of Suffice?

The word suffice is an intransitive verb, defined as “meeting or satisfying a particular need.” The meaning applies in most contexts with this word. Note that this word can be in the form of anything. You are not limited to a particular thing when using this word.

Here’s what to know: when you have the proper amount or enough of something, you can say that whatever you have will suffice. This means that you do not need any addition. For instance, when you say that the funds available in your bank account will suffice, it means the money you have will meet or satisfy your need.

Here are some example sentences.

• You don’t need to worry, as a brief note will suffice.
• Your case needs two lawyers to suffice the court of law
• The three workers will suffice because they are competent enough to do the job.

What Is the Meaning of Suffice?

“Suffice” also means to be adequate to satisfy a specific requirement. The definition applies mostly in the human resource sector and the various organizations’ general undertakings. The hospitality sector also loves embracing this word. It comes in as a positive word.

When someone has the right qualifications or requirements to handle a specific job, you can say that their capabilities will suffice. The word suffice is defined as being just the right amount, whether in quality or quantity—an example of sufficing to have the right ingredients to make a cake.

The following are some example sentences:

• The company’s C.E.O.’s motivation will have to suffice to get the staff members ready for the next project.
• It was hard to convince him, but a couple of hours at the facility sufficed to convince him otherwise.

Suffice When Used to Mean Capability

Another definition of suffice is “capable of meeting the laid out objective.” Have you been assigned a particular task, and you think you can deliver with ease? Whether it’s something you’ve been practicing on, or it’s the first time you’re giving it a try, suffice is the best word to use to experience such an instance.

Simply put, use the word where the definition “as equal to the task at hand or what is needed” applies. Read the two sentences below to have an understanding of what we mean.

• The food contributed to help those affected by the cyclone will suffice.
• I believe that the knowledge gained in school will suffice in helping you get a great job.

How to Use Suffice in a Sentence

“Suffice” is a verb in three forms, a noun, adverb, and adjective. It’s easy to assume that you can use this word in any way since you know its meaning and definition. While you can use the word as it is, knowing how to use it as a noun, verb and adverb allows you to accommodate the word in various contexts and tenses easily. 

As a Noun

When used as a noun, the word suffice changes to sufficience. The term describes the state or quality of being enough or content. It’s important to note that this word is obsolete and no longer used. However, the terms sufficiency or sufficer are acceptable replacements for the word sufficience.

The following are some example sentences:

• The man should be charged with sufficience and negligence because he had many chances to correct the situation.
• Betty stated that the company was not sufficience when it comes to helping their clients from losing their investments but didn’t.

As an Adjective

When the word suffice becomes an adjective, it changes to sufficient. This word describes an action that is adequate to what is needed. Other adjectives formed from the phrase suffice include sufficient and sufficive.

The following are some example sentences:

• Despite several oxygen tanks being faulty, the divers had sufficient oxygen to make it back to the surface.
• Greg believes that his bunker has sufficient food and water for him and his family in case of a world war.

As an Adverb

When “suffice” is used as an adverb, the word becomes sufficiently. The word expresses how a specific action was done satisfactorily. The adverb form of the word is among the most common in different contexts.

The following are some example sentences:

• Russia could easily invade Ukraine due to its sufficiently strong army and vast ammunition.
• While the student population is on the rise, we need sufficiently stronger numbers to achieve our goal of building a new classroom.

10 Examples of Suffice Usage in a Sentence

It’s nearly impossible to be confident in using the term suffice just by knowing its different meanings. It will help if you constantly practice reading sentences and writing some of your own. Luckily, the subsequent ten sentences show you how the term is used in different forms. Learn and practice!

1. Their faith alone will not be sufficient to see the church through this turbulent time as they also need financial help.
2. You may take it as a simple action, but your smile may suffice to make someone’s day brighter.
3. Installing the new operating system may take a long time and cause damage to your P.C., but the minor system is sufficient for this kind of hardware.
4. P.S.G. was down three goals in the first leg, but Lionel Messi’s hat trick was sufficient to place the team on equal terms with Real Madrid.
5. I believe that if you want to show your appreciation to someone for something they did, a simple thank-you note will suffice.
6. No matter how many apologies you make to the couple, they will never suffice for the loss of their daughter.
7. The company is at a crossroads. Thus, we need a plan that will sufficiently ensure its future and the safety of the client’s assets.
8. After many tests, it suffices to say that the Tesla truck is road-worthy and safe to drive.
9. Now that you’re planning your trip to Dubai, how sure are your funds sufficient for the journey?
10. A simple yes or no will suffice instead of subjecting the interviewees to a rigorous questionnaire.

How Do You Spell Suffice?

The word suffice is spelled as s.u.f.f.i.c.e.

When spelling this word, remember that it has a double “f,” and the “e” at the end of the term is silent.

How Do You Pronounce Suffice?

Suh·fise is the acceptable way of pronouncing the word suffice.

When pronouncing the word, pay close attention to how the syllables in the word suffice are stressed. Remember that the “e” at the end of the term is silent; thus, it should not be pronounced. To learn how to say the word correctly, listen to English audio pronunciation and practice what you hear.

How Many Syllables Are In Suffice?

There are two syllables in the word suffice; suf.fice.

History & Etymology of Suffice

The word’s history dates back to the early 14th century from an Old French word, sofire, which means “put under” or “satisfy.”

Even though the word suffice has French roots, the term also has a Latin root from the word sufficere that means “to lay a foundation” or “provide as a substitute.” The root sub meaning “up to” when combined with facere meaning “to make or accomplish” makes sufficere. The meanings of these French and Latin words were carried on to the English word suffice used today.

When Was Suffice First Used?

The word suffice was first used in the 14th century as an English word meaning “to be enough” or “adequate.”

Conclusion

You may have been using the word suffice in your conversations, or you may have read it for the first time in this article. Whichever side of the divide you’re on, we believe that this article has been helpful in one way or another, especially on the various meanings and uses of the word. Should you have any challenges using this word in the future, don’t hesitate to refer to this article for reference.