sufficient
Enough to meet a need or purpose; adequate.
Examples
In a meeting
“Do we have sufficient data to make this decision, or should we wait?”
Over coffee
“One coat of paint should be sufficient — the wall looks great.”
Why this word
enough
Sufficient is more formal and often used in technical or professional contexts, while enough is colloquial; both mean the same thing but differ in register
adequate
Sufficient means meeting the requirement exactly, while adequate often implies barely acceptable or meeting minimum standards
plenty
Sufficient means exactly what's needed, while plenty suggests abundance beyond what's required
Usage tip
More precise than 'enough'. Implies meeting a specific threshold. Often used with 'not sufficient' to politely say something falls short.
Etymology
Latin sufficiens — sub (under, up to) + facere (to make, do), literally 'making up to the needed level'
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Related words
benchmark
A standard or point of reference for measuring or comparing performance.
evaluate
To assess or judge the value, quality, or significance of something.
ample
More than enough; plentiful and sufficient.
negligible
So small or unimportant as to not be worth considering.
excessive
More than what is necessary, normal, or desirable; too much.
relevant
Closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.