sufficiently

IPA/səˈfɪʃntli/
KK[səfˈɪʃəntli]IPA/səˈfɪʃntli/

sufficiently — adverb

1. to a level that is enough for what is needed or expected in a particular situati

1.adverbC1
Definition

to a level that is enough for what is needed or expected in a particular situation

Example

Brooke did not study sufficiently for the final exam and received a low grade.

negative: did not + verb + sufficiently

The room was sufficiently large to hold all forty guests comfortably.

sufficiently + adjective + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • sufficiently large
  • sufficiently long
  • sufficiently strong
  • sufficiently detailed
  • sufficiently cooked
  • sufficiently qualified
  • sufficiently recovered
  • sufficiently funded
Synonyms
  • enough

    much more common in everyday English; follows the adjective it modifies ('hot enough') rather than preceding it

  • adequately

    similar formality; focuses on meeting a minimum required standard rather than general sufficiency

  • satisfactorily

    emphasises that the result meets expectations or is acceptable in quality

Antonyms
  • insufficiently

    direct opposite; also formal, means not enough to meet the need

  • inadequately

    suggests failing to reach the necessary standard or amount

Grammar Patterns

sufficiently + adjective (to + infinitive)

sufficiently + past participle

verb + sufficiently

Usage Note

More formal than 'enough'. Unlike 'enough', 'sufficiently' comes BEFORE the adjective, adverb, or past participle it modifies: ✅ 'sufficiently large' ❌ 'large sufficiently'. In everyday conversation, 'enough' is far more common; 'sufficiently' belongs in formal writing and careful speech.

Common Mistakes

The water was hot sufficiently for tea.
The water was sufficiently hot for tea.
'sufficiently' must precede the adjective, unlike 'enough' which follows it.
I have sufficiently money.
I have enough money.
'sufficiently' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun; use the adjective 'sufficient' before a noun, or use 'enough'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three words indicate that a need or standard has been met, but they differ in formality and focus. 'Enough' is the everyday word — it is far more common in conversation and informal writing ('The soup is hot enough.'). 'Sufficiently' is more formal and typically appears in academic, technical, or professional contexts ('The sample was sufficiently heated.'). 'Adequately' shares the same formal register as 'sufficiently' but carries a sense of meeting a minimum requirement rather than a generous or comfortable amount ('The room was adequately lit, but not bright.'). 'Satisfactorily' goes a step further, emphasising that the result is acceptable in quality or meets expectations ('The repair was completed satisfactorily.'). In writing, choose 'sufficiently' when the focus is on amount or degree meeting a stated need, 'adequately' when the minimum bar is the issue, and 'satisfactorily' when quality or outcome is what matters.

enough ↗adequately ↗satisfactorily ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • quite sufficiently
  • more than sufficiently

Phrases

  • sufficiently + adjective + to + infinitive

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'sufficiens', the present participle of 'sufficere' — meaning 'to supply' or 'to be enough'. The Latin word is formed from 'sub-' (up to) and 'facere' (to do, to make). It entered English through French in the 14th century as 'sufficient', and the adverb form 'sufficiently' developed by adding '-ly'.