suffice Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
    answer; do; serve.
    • A few words would answer
    • This car suits my purpose well
    • Will $100 do?
    • A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
    • Nothing else will serve

WordNet

Suf*fice" intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. suffisen, OF. soufire, F. suffire (cf. suffisant, p.pr.), L. sufficere to put under, to substitute, to avail for, to suffice; sub under + facere to make. See Fact.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sufficed ; present participle & verbal noun Sufficing
Definitions
  1. To be enough, or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate. Chaucer.
    To recount almighty works, What words or tongue of seraph can suffice? Milton.
Suf*fice" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To satisfy; to content; to be equal to the wants or demands of. Spenser.
    Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Deut. iii. 26.
  2. To furnish; to supply adequately. Obs.
    The power appeased, with winds sufficed the sail. Dryden.

Webster 1913