sufficient

suh-FISH-uhnt/səˈfɪʃənt/

6 meanings of sufficient

1
adjective
Good enough to meet a need or do what is required.
Like a key that fits the lock: it does the job that is needed.
Her short answer was sufficient to explain the problem.
A light jacket is sufficient for spring weather here.
Similaradequate, satisfactory, ample
Oppositeinsufficient, inadequate, deficient
Note
2
determiner
Enough of something to do or finish what is needed.
Make sure you drink sufficient water on hot days.
We had sufficient time to catch the train.
Similarenough
Oppositeinsufficient
3
determiner
An amount that is as big as you need.
We packed sufficient for a week at the cabin.
Is there sufficient for everyone, or should I make more?
Similarenough
Note
4
adjective
Having the skill or ability needed to do a job well.
She was a sufficient cook, and no one went hungry.
The young lawyer proved sufficient for the difficult case.
Similarcompetent, capable, qualified, fit
Oppositeincompetent, unqualified, inadequate
Note

Less common meanings

5
adjectivearchaic
Able to pay what you owe and keep your promises.
The banker lent only to merchants he judged sufficient.
Her father was a sufficient man, trusted to settle every debt.
Note
6
adjectiveobsolete
Having enough money to pay your bills and live well.
After years of trade, the merchant grew sufficient and bought a fine house.
The second in the Hong, Mowgua, has been a man of large property, but he is of more questionable property now ; I consider him still to be a very sufficient merchant.
1830, Great Britain Parliament House of Commons, Select Committee on the East India CompanyHere, sufficient means having enough money to pay debts and live well.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin, from the word "sufficiō," through Old French.