enough

1 of 3

adjective

i-ˈnəf How to pronounce enough (audio)
ē-, 
ə-
Synonyms of enough
: occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations
enough food for everyone

enough

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in or to a degree or quantity that satisfies or that is sufficient or necessary for satisfaction : sufficiently
2
: fully, quite
he is qualified enough for the position
3
: in a tolerable degree
she sang well enough

enough

3 of 3

pronoun

: a sufficient number, quantity, or amount
enough were present to constitute a quorum
had enough of their foolishness
—often used interjectionally

Synonyms of enough

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of enough in a Sentence

Adjective Have you got enough money? That's enough talk for now; let's get started. There's enough food for everyone. Adverb I couldn't run fast enough to catch up with her. She's old enough to know better. Are you rich enough to retire? That's good enough for me. Oddly enough, they've never actually met. As if the crowds aren't bad enough, the parking situation is terrible. We can do it if they help enough. Pronoun Have you had enough to eat? He hasn't had much Spanish, but he knows enough to get by. The crowds are enough of a problem as it is, without having to worry about parking as well! It's enough to drive you crazy!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
It was put on by a company called Candle House, which, though little-known as of yet in the theatrical mainstream, has enough of a cult national reputation that nearly all of the 76 shows sold out pretty much just on word of mouth, at $247 a pop. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 But that doesn’t seem enough for his critics, who argue that’s why the Steelers can’t beat the Patriots. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Adverb
In true Italian fashion, expect a trio of aperitivo snacks to arrive alongside your drinks, and be sure to stay long enough to hear the piano come to life. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 An ectopic pregnancy should never have to rupture before a doctor feels protected enough to act. — Dara Kass, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enough

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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-

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enough was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing enough

Rhymes for enough

See All Rhymes for enough

Browse Nearby Words

enosis
enough
enough is enough
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enough. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enough

1 of 3 adjective
i-ˈnəf How to pronounce enough (audio)
: equal to the demands or needs : sufficient

enough

2 of 3 adverb
1
: in or to a sufficient amount or degree : sufficiently
ran fast enough
2
: fully sense 1, quite
qualified enough for the job
3
: so as to be moderately good : tolerably
sang well enough

enough

3 of 3 noun
: a sufficient quantity
enough to meet our needs
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