suffice
to be enough or adequateA simple apology will suffice in this situation.
A simple apology is enough in this situation.
to be enough or adequate for a particular purpose
This explanation should suffice for now.
This explanation is enough for now.
A handshake will suffice as a greeting.
A handshake is enough as a greeting.
Often used in formal or polite contexts to indicate that something is acceptable without being excessive.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal Usage
Use 'suffice' in formal or polite contexts to indicate that something is acceptable without being excessive.
Gold Rule
Negative Constructions
'Suffice' can be used in negative constructions to express that something is not enough, e.g., 'This does not suffice for our needs.'
Word Origin
From Middle English 'suffisen', from Old French 'suffire', from Latin 'sufficere' meaning 'to be enough'.
Usage Notes
Often used in formal or polite contexts to indicate that something is acceptable without being excessive. Can also be used in negative constructions to express that something is not enough.