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REFERENCE

enough

n. uncountable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //iˈnəf// UK //ɪnˈʌf// enough Archaic General-service

n. the amount of something that you need or want. When you have this, you do not need any more.

n. an amount or quantity that is adequate for a particular purpose or satisfies a specific requirement. Often functions as the head of a noun phrase followed by an infinitive clause.


SIMPLE

I have had enough to eat.

CONTEXTUAL

We have enough of the basic supplies to last through the weekend without visiting the store.

COMPLEX

While some argued for further expansion, the committee decided that the current progress represented enough to justify a pause in funding.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English ynogh, from Old English ġenōg (“enough”), from Proto-Germanic ganōgaz (“enough”) (compare Scots eneuch, West Frisian genôch, Dutch genoeg, German genug, Low German (ge)noog, Danish nok, Swedish nog, Icelandic nógur), from ganuganą 'to suffice' (compare Old English ġeneah), or from ga- + an unattested nōgaz, probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₂nó(n)ḱe (“he has reached, attained”), perfective of h₂neḱ- (“to reach”) (compare Old Irish tánaic (“he arrived”), Latin nancisci (“to get”), Albanian kënaq (“to please, satisfy”).).

Usage

Frequently followed by 'of' before a noun or by a 'to'-infinitive.

Pitfall

I have enough of moneyI have enough moneyWhen 'enough' modifies a noun directly, do not use 'of' unless the noun has a determiner like 'the' or 'my'.

Idioms15 entries

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