First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1enough
adjective \i-ˈnəf, ē-, ə-\
: equal to what is needed
Full Definition of ENOUGH
: occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations <enough food for everyone>
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See enough defined for kids
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Origin of ENOUGH
Middle English ynough, from Old English genōg (akin to Old High German ginuog enough), from ge- (perfective prefix) + -nōg; akin to Latin nancisci to get, Greek enenkein to carry — more at co-
Synonym Discussion of ENOUGH
sufficient, enough, adequate, competent mean being what is necessary or desirable. sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need <sufficient savings>. enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient <do you have enough food?>. adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement <the service was adequate>. competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end <had no competent notion of what was going on>.
Rhymes with ENOUGH
2enough
adverb
: in the amount needed : to the necessary degree
: to a degree that is not very high or very low : to a reasonable extent
Full Definition of ENOUGH
1
: in or to a degree or quantity that satisfies or that is sufficient or necessary for satisfaction : sufficiently
3
: in a tolerable degree <she sang well enough>
See enough defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ENOUGH
before 12th century
Related to ENOUGH
- Synonyms
- adequately, satisfactorily, sufficiently, suitably
- Antonyms
- inadequately, insufficiently, unsatisfactorily
3enough
pronoun
: an amount that provides what is needed or wanted : an amount that is enough
Full Definition of ENOUGH
: a sufficient number, quantity, or amount <enough were present to constitute a quorum> <had enough of their foolishness> —often used interjectionally
See enough defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ENOUGH
before 12th century
ENOUGH Defined for Kids
1enough
adjective \i-ˈnəf\
Definition of ENOUGH for Kids
: equal to the needs or demands <Do we have enough time?>
2enough
adverb
Definition of ENOUGH for Kids
: in the amount necessary or to the degree necessary <Are you warm enough?>
3enough
pronoun
Definition of ENOUGH for Kids
: a number or amount that provides what is needed <There is enough for everyone.>
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