Word
sufficient
Phoneticssuf·fi·cient, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈfɪʃənt/
UK/səfˈɪʃənt/
Definitions
01enough
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. having as much as you need for a particular purpose.
adj. adequate to any proposed design or end; satisfying requirements or needs.
“The team had sufficient time to finish the project before the deadline.”
“The prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'for' or a 'to-infinitive' clause.
Pitfall
We have sufficient of food for the week.
We have sufficient food for the week.
Do not use 'of' after 'sufficient' when it is followed directly by a noun.
Antonyms
02capable or qualified
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. having the right skills or power to do a job.
adj. possessing adequate talents, accomplishments, or legal power; competent and fit for a purpose.
“He proved himself sufficient for the difficult task of leading the company.”
“The candidate was deemed sufficient in her technical expertise, though her interpersonal skills required further development.”
Teaching tip
This sense is less common in modern speech; 'competent' or 'capable' is usually preferred in professional contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sufficient” in context.
Adjective
01. sufficient condition
“Hard work is a necessary, but not always a sufficient condition for success.”
adj + noun
02. sufficient data
“We need to collect sufficient data before we can draw any firm conclusions.”
adj + noun
03. sufficient degree
“The metal must be heated to a sufficient degree to become malleable.”
adj + noun
04. sufficient evidence
“The police did not have sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with the crime.”
adj + noun
05. sufficient information
“The brochure provides sufficient information for tourists to find their way around.”
adj + noun
06. sufficient knowledge
“Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the local regulations.”
adj + noun
07. sufficient material
“Make sure you have sufficient material to complete the sewing project.”
adj + noun
08. sufficient number
“The event was cancelled because a sufficient number of tickets were not sold.”
adj + noun
09. sufficient power
“The engine does not generate sufficient power to climb such steep hills.”
adj + noun
10. sufficient quality
“The video was not of sufficient quality to be used in the final documentary.”
adj + noun
11. sufficient quantity
“The warehouse maintains a sufficient quantity of spare parts for all models.”
adj + noun
12. sufficient resource
“The department lacks sufficient resource to handle the new project.”
adj + noun
Confusables
Sufficient means you have the right amount; adequate means that amount is just good enough to pass.
RememberSufficient is about quantity; adequate is about quality.
Efficient is about how well a task is performed with minimal waste, while sufficient is simply about having enough of something to meet a need.
RememberEfficient = Excellence in process. Sufficient = Satisfactory in amount.
Real-World Examples
“Nearly half of the players (48.4%) in the group said current cooling breaks were sufficient to protect players, while only 15.3% said the current policies were sufficient.” “But this is not sufficient to wage a broad operation.” Etymology
From Old French sufisanz, soficient, from Latin sufficiēns, present participle of sufficiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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